In June 2024, members of the University’s Executive leadership team met with representatives of student groups to discuss their ‘Letter of demands to University of Bath for Palestine Solidarity’.
The Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the University, acknowledged the devastating humanitarian impacts and suffering resulting from the Israel/Palestine conflict and said that those who have lost loved ones and those who are concerned about family members, friends or colleagues are very much at the forefront of our minds.
The University is hopeful about the recent Gaza agreement and has been deeply concerned about the widescale conflict in Gaza and the impacts on its students and staff. We are committed to supporting those affected by the conflict and to ensuring that the University is a place where everyone in our community can feel safe.
A staff-student group has been set up including SU representation and this is currently taking the following actions:
We have taken action to provide funding for student scholarships for those affected by the conflict, including Palestinian students and prospective students. We have met with the British Council and are joining many other UK universities in taking part in HESPAL (Higher Education Scholarships for Palestinians), which is a UK scholarship scheme supporting capacity building of academics and institutional development of HE institutions in Palestine. This is in addition to existing support mechanisms, for example through the University of Sanctuary initiatives.
We already support the Council for At Risk Academics (CARA) and have formally registered an offer of support for their recent initiative to provide Visiting Fellow research placements for Gazan scholars. Potential CARA scholars should complete the form on the CARA website to apply.
In total, the University has made financial provision to support the HESPAL and CARA schemes over the coming years of £374,000, including tuition fees.
Work is also well underway on the development of an institutional policy to address support for victims of conflict, working collaboratively with relevant student representation and with University.
The University has committed to share information with the group on recent work to review investments and research ethics, to inform future conversations in these areas.
We are continuing to discuss ways to ensure that students most affected by the conflict in Gaza have access to the practical and wellbeing support available both now and in the coming academic year.
Further meetings of the group will continue over the coming months and we hope to communicate further on the outcomes.
Ongoing sources of advice and support are outlined on the University’s webpages.