UTS Response to Racism@Uni Study report

UTS welcomes the release of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Racism@Uni Study report, Respect at Uni: Study into antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism and the experience of First Nations people. National research of this kind is vital in helping universities better understand the experiences of students and staff, and in driving coordinated action across the sector to create safe, respectful and inclusive campuses and communities.

The report captures the experiences of tens of thousands of people across the sector who have shared their experiences of racism. For members of our own community who have experienced racism, we acknowledge the harm and the impact this has had, and we reaffirm our commitment to improving both prevention and response.

UTS is a culturally, racially, and linguistically diverse community. This diversity is central to who we are and to our strength as a creative and innovative public university.

We are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive culture where every member of our community feels welcomed, included and valued.

We also recognise that we exist within a society shaped by historical and structural inequalities. Racism in Australia is pervasive and manifests in interpersonal, institutional and systemic ways. Addressing it effectively requires sustained, deliberate, and proactive effort.

Our best responses to racism must be informed by the lived experience of those who have, sadly, experienced it first-hand. We thank those who have been prepared to share that through the Racism@Uni survey and commit ourselves to work to eliminate it.

We will continue to listen and be guided by thoughtful and meaningful consultation with First Nations, and culturally and racially marginalised (CARM), communities at UTS.

This work is anchored in the UTS Cultural Diversity & Anti-Racism Action Plan, released last year. The Plan lays out how our community can work together to make cultural diversity and anti-racism visible, well-supported and deeply embedded in our systems, policies and everyday practices.

Underpinning this approach is our commitment to Indigenous self-determination. We recognise that Indigenous leadership, scholarship and knowledges are core to the integrity and values of our university. By supporting Indigenous students and staff and ensuring Indigenous perspectives are woven through our teaching, research and governance, we strengthen our whole community.

Confronting racism requires us to both address harm and to champion the diversity that defines and strengthens our community.

UTS will continue to evolve and seek continual improvement in our approaches, in response to evidence and in partnership with staff and student voices.

The findings of the Racism@Uni report will help us reflect urgently on where we can focus our efforts to improve our systems, processes and culture. These insights will help inform our ongoing work to prevent and respond to racism in all its forms at UTS.