Equality, diversity and inclusion

The School of Philosophical, Anthropological and Film Studies is determined to actively support equality and fairness irrespective of race, ethnicity, disability, age, faith, gender or sexual orientation. It is working to eradicate any explicit or implicit discrimination of staff and students on the basis of these differences, and to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive to everyone.

Issues of equality, diversity, and inclusion are addressed by the School Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.

If you have any thoughts, ideas, or concerns about equality, diversity, or inclusion in the School, please contact the EDI Officer or any member of the committee. They would be very happy to hear from you no matter what your role in the School. They value feedback from undergraduate and postgraduate students, and academic and professional services staff alike. You can also contact the University’s EDI Office at diversity@st-andrews.ac.uk.

If you are interested in joining the EDI Committee, please contact the EDI Officer. The School strives to maintain a broad, inclusive, and representative committee, and would welcome expressions of interest.

You can read detailed information about the EDI Committee’s current and planned activities (based on its Athena SWAN Action Plan).

The University's EDI Office has a useful website, which includes links to University policies, networks, and events, and further information about diversity in the University.

Research and teaching in the Department of Film Studies is embedded in a commitment to anti-colonial, anti-racist and feminist practices. We aim to address issues of diversity, equality, inclusion and sustainability across our teaching programmes and in our organisational practices, and welcome feedback on how we might improve. Our research is global and informed by a shared investment in centring perspectives which foreground the global majority (with particular expertise in screen cultures of the Arab world, of Latin America, and of East and Southeast Asia). Much of our research is also informed by feminist and LGBTQIA+ histories, as well as the contemporary moment.

We seek to broaden our collective understanding and appreciation of cinema and media worlds. Our research and teaching is invested in illuminating the politics inherent in film and media, from its earliest beginnings up to the present, from colonial film histories to contemporary film and media activism. We approach film studies expansively, examining themes ranging from marginalised labour to environmental crisis. Our varied approaches lead us to understand how cinema and media have played key roles in shaping public attitudes, and in both exceptional and everyday circumstances. We take this knowledge to the classroom to explore with students how to identify and critique the structures of power that have been part of cinema and media culture on screen and off.  And through collaboration with our students and our broader communities, we work to make our classrooms and our university a site for positive change.

Along with the School and University, the Department is working to combat systemic bias and exclusion, through an action plan that includes continued development of new modules and assessments that recognise the diversity of global film history and practice in terms of race, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexuality.

Of course, we need much more than a statement. This statement of values is here as an invitation for communication and collaboration so that we can work together to make the University and the world a better, safer, more inclusive, more equitable and more sustainable place. We are committed to doing better.
- Dr Leshu Torchin (EDI Director): lt40@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Professor James Harris (Head of School): pafs-hos@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Mr Graeme Hawes (School Manager): pafsmanager@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Dr Patrick Adamson (Film Studies / Fixed Term Staff Rep): pa41@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Dr Jessica Mulvogue (Film Studies): jsm38@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Dr Bridget Bradley (Social Anthropology):  bb203@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Professor Theron Pummer (Philosophy): tgp4@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Viviane Fairbank (Philosophy and Liaison for Minorities and Philosophy SASP): vf45@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Aliza Ashraf (Rep for Postgraduate Students): aa414@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Millie Chew (Student President, Film Studies): filmpresident@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Finn Salisbury (Student President, Social Anthropology): socanthpresident@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Olivia Griffin (Student President, Philosophy): philosophypresident@st-andrews.ac.uk
Bullying is the abuse of power or position to undermine others. Harassment is unwelcome or offensive attention related to a protected characteristic: age, sex, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. The School of Philosophical, Anthropological and Film Studies regards bullying and harassment as unacceptable and is committed to eliminating them.

Harassment is against the law, and students and staff (including professional services staff) are also protected against bullying and harassment by University policy:
- Dignity and respect at work policy
- Student harassment and bullying policy
It is important to go beyond what is legally required, and work to create a School that is genuinely respectful, kind, and embraces difference. Bullying is in the eye of the perceiver, that is, if someone perceives or experiences something as bullying, the School will respond to that thing as bullying. Power takes many different forms, and so does bullying. It is possible for staff to bully students, but also for students to bully staff. It is possible for less senior staff to bully more senior staff and vice-versa, and for academic staff to bully professional services staff and vice-versa.

In each case, the person whose actions are perceived as bullying may not be aware he or she is doing it. But if someone feels bullied then the bully's behaviour must be challenged. In the first instance that person will be politely asked to consider the impact of their actions and asked to change, and further action will be taken if necessary.

If you would like to discuss these issues or have experienced or witnessed an incident and would like to discuss or report it, either formally or informally, please contact the School EDI Director (Dr Leshu Torchin).

You are also welcome to contact someone outside your own department. In addition to other members of the EDI committee, you can contact:
- University EDI Office: diversity@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Student Services: theasc@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Chaplaincy: chaplaincy@st-andrews.ac.uk
You can also submit any concerns regarding conduct or incidents you are aware of to Report and Support.

If you need further information, the ASC has a webpage about bullying and harassment for students which includes information that is relevant to everyone.
Advance HE's Athena SWAN charter started with the Athena Project and the Scientific Women's Academic Network (SWAN) advancing representation of women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) in higher education. It was expanded to include arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL) and now also covers professional and support staff and trans staff and students. Levels of the award are Bronze, Silver and Gold.

The School received an Athena SWAN Gender Equality Bronze Award in May 2020. You can download a redacted version of our Athena SWAN application (PDF). Applying for an award involves assessing a wide range of data about students and staff, conducting a survey and follow-up focus group discussions, and developing a detailed action plan to address areas of gender inequality. The Award recognises that the School is working to promote gender equality and to identify and address challenges. The School continues to work on the actions identified in the action plan.

The School has an active and devoted self-assessment team who prepared the 2019 application and will continue to assess progress. The team members include academic and professional services staff, and undergraduate and postgraduate students. This team is part of the broader Equality and Diversity Committee. If you are interested in joining the self-assessment team, please contact the School's EDI Director.
See also the searchable database of University policies.

EDI café for staff and students

Throughout the academic year we host informal discussions about EDI-related topics. What are the issues facing you? What are activities you'd like to see? Would you just like some tea and biscuits?

Stop by the Film Studies Building (101a North Street) on:

11 September between 12pm and 2pm
2 October between 2.30pm and 3.30pm
6 November between 2.30pm and 3.30pm
5 February between 2.30pm and 3.30pm
26 February between 2.30pm and 3.30pm
2 April between 2.30pm and 3.30pm

As many of the University buildings are inaccessible, we will be looking into more accessible spaces and will share details on this page.

Report and support

The Report and Support tool is available to report any concerns you have related to wellbeing, bullying, discrimination, abuse, assault or harassment of any sort. You can report anonymously or using your contact details. If you provide your contact details, a member of staff will be able to contact you to help provide support. This tool can be used by students, members of staff, members of the public or visitors to the University.

Mediation service

The Mediation Service is available to students, staff and members of the public, experiencing disagreement or conflict, who would prefer a less formal method of discussing University-related disagreements and grievances. The service is also available for groups or teams.

The Mediators are staff members from The University of St Andrews who have undertaken formal mediation training accredited by Scottish Mediation. Several Post Graduate students have also qualified in Mediation. Mediators act impartially and separately from University Schools and Services. They are solely interested in helping those engaged in the service reach a mutually acceptable solution.

Mediation is a confidential, informal, voluntary, self-determined and without prejudice process. If you or someone you know is involved in a disagreement that is in its early stages or has reached an impasse, please contact mediation@st-andrews.ac.uk for an informal chat about how the mediators can help.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Department Statement of Values

Committee membership

Bullying and harassment

Athena SWAN

University policies

EDI café for staff and students

Report and support

Mediation service