Creating a Campus Where Jewish Students and Staff Feel Safe, Valued and Included

Creating a university where everyone feels safe, respected and able to be themselves means actively challenging antisemitism in all its forms. As we begin a new academic year, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that Jewish students, staff and researchers can participate fully in university life.

“Jewish students, like all students, should have the freedom and confidence to live proud Jewish lives without the fear of hatred, racism or violence.”

These words, expressed by Raphi Leon, UJS President 2026–2027, in the Community Security Trust's report Campus Antisemitism in Britain 2024–2026, capture something fundamental about the kind of university community we want to be. 

The start of a new academic year brings fresh energy and anticipation as the university welcomes new students and colleagues reconnect with those returning to campus. We want everyone at our campuses to feel that they belong, can be themselves and can participate fully in university life. 

The university is committed to creating an inclusive environment in which the ethnic, cultural and religious identities of Jewish students are recognised, respected and valued. Jewish staff and researchers should experience the same freedom and confidence to express their identities within an inclusive and supportive working environment. 

However, these intentions do not always reflect everyone's lived experience. We know that some Jewish colleagues do not feel comfortable or safe to visibly express their Jewish identity, and some students experience antisemitic ‘banter’ but may feel unable to report it for fear of backlash or further alienation. The university takes these experiences seriously and continuously strive to ensure that all Jewish members of our community feel safe, respected and supported. 

The Community Security Trust's report, Campus Antisemitism in Britain 2024–2026, highlights the wider context, reporting a 65% increase in campus-related antisemitic incidents across the higher education sector between 2024 and 2026 compared with the preceding two years, including incidents involving extreme antisemitic violence. 

Antisemitism (defined here) is discrimination and has no place at Loughborough University. The university is committed to challenging it in all its forms, whether expressed through overt abuse, harassment, discriminatory behaviour or more subtle forms of hostility, including microaggressions. Describing behaviour as ‘banter’ does not make it harmless or acceptable. 

The university also recognises the importance of freedom of expression, academic debate and peaceful protest within our community. These are essential parts of university life. They must however, be exercised with respect for the dignity and rights of others. There is room for disagreement, criticism and protest but this must not become a vehicle for antisemitism, personal harassment or behaviour that targets or diminishes people because they are Jewish. Criticism of a government or its policies is not antisemitism as context and the nature of the behaviour matter. 

Creating an inclusive environment is a shared responsibility.  

Everyone in our university community can contribute by: 

Reflecting on our prejudices: Are we making assumptions about someone because they are Jewish? Are we holding stereotypes about what it means to be Jewish? 

Challenging antisemitism: Not participating in antisemitic jokes, comments or behaviour, even when presented as ‘banter’. Where it is safe to do so, we can challenge what we witness, seek advice or report concerns. We should never assume that silence means behaviour is harmless or acceptable. 

  • Showing respect beyond campus: Our responsibilities to one another extend beyond the physical boundaries of the University in Loughborough and London. Wherever we are we can uphold the same principles of dignity, respect and non-discrimination that we expect within our university community. 
  • Supporting one another: Listening to colleagues and students, taking concerns seriously and helping people access support can make a real difference to whether people feel able to belong and participate fully. 

Guidance, support, advice and information for students and staff 

If you experience or witness antisemitism, please know that it is not acceptable and that support is available. Whether the behaviour is overt or more subtle, you do not have to navigate it alone. 

Staff and students can use the University's Reporting pathways to raise a concern. The tool provides options for sharing information with the University, including whether you would like the matter to be followed up. Please refer to the accompanying guidance here for information about confidentiality and how reports are handled. You can also contact the Chaplaincy or EDI Services for support, advice and information about your options. See full list of support available below. 

We know that building an inclusive community requires more than good intentions. It requires us to listen, learn from people's experiences and take meaningful action when things are not as they should be. 

Together, we can work towards a Loughborough and Loughborough in London where all Jewish staff, students and visitors feel safe, respected and valued, with the freedom and confidence to live proud Jewish lives without fear of hatred, racism or violence.