This is an extremely difficult time for staff and students in our community who have close connections to the Middle East.

The conflict fills us with the deepest concern. We continue to monitor the situation closely and stand ready to offer help and support. 

We are offering students and staff support and travel advice.  This includes support from the University's Multi-Faith Chaplaincy among other sources of support.

Students and staff are encouraged to check our post on our intranet which is reviewed regularly: Conflict in the Middle East.

Conflict in the Middle East – supporting our students and staff

Our priority is always ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and our wider community who are affected.  

We remain in continued dialogue with them to offer support and assistance and to hear and address any concerns.  

We are also involved in discussions with higher education sector partners on effective ways to assist students whose education has been disrupted by the war. 

As an international university with a deep commitment to social responsibility and democratic values, we are experienced in supporting people affected by global conflicts and crises. 

We continue to work closely with and support all students and staff directly impacted by the conflict. 

Support available to students is wide-ranging. It may include academic and wellbeing support from professionally trained staff or financial support such as scholarships. 

Further details can be found in our Support for Staff and Students webpages as well as our Staff FAQs and Student FAQs. 

We do not tolerate racism, hate speech or prejudice

As an inclusive community, we do not tolerate antisemitism or anti-Muslim hatred. We condemn in the strongest possible terms any incidents of racism or targeting individuals or groups for their religious, political or cultural beliefs.  

We would strongly urge any staff or students affected by any such incidents to report them to us via our Report + Support tool, or, where appropriate, the Police, so that they can be investigated. 

We support and promote lawful free speech and respectful behaviours

Durham is a university where diversity is respected, valued and celebrated, and we’re committed to creating a community that values different perspectives and lived experiences. 

We listen to and maintain open lines of communication with our students and staff so that voices across our community can be heard and respected. 

We consistently and robustly uphold freedom of speech within the law and academic freedom. We also promote respectful behaviours and community cohesion. 

The University approach may be summarised as:   

• To ensure the welfare, safety and security of our students, staff and wider community, and to maintain and promote community cohesion. 
• To ensure respect for freedom of speech, the right to lawful protest and the expression of a diversity of views. 
• Not to permit interruptions to normal University business. 
• Not to tolerate any behaviours, or the development of any behaviours, that are hostile or intimidating from any group. 

The University adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition on antisemitism in line with the UK government and recommendations from the United Nations.