The University of Sheffield has announced it is recruiting 20 students as "race equality champions" to help train and educate its student body in a bid to combat "subtle” racism and help stamp out prejudice.
Speaking to CNN, the university confirmed that the recruits would help students develop skills to challenge “microaggressions”, which it defines as “subtle but offensive comments or actions” directed at black and minority ethnic (BME) people, “which are often unintentionally offensive".
The new roles will be filled by students with all students being encouraged to attend the sessions. Some examples of offensive comments included: "Stop making everything a race issue", "I don't want to hear about your holiday to South Africa. It's nowhere near where I'm from".
University spokeswoman Sophie Armour said that the "race equality champions," are due to be in place by the end of February, and will also train student society leaders and ensure they are aware of what support is available to those experiencing racism and bullying.
The program, which has been developed by both students and academics, is expected to run for a year before being made permanent if it goes well.
Recently British universities have been under growing pressure to tackle racism with the Equality and Human Rights Commission last year releasing a report that found racial harassment was "a common occurrence for many students and staff in British universities."
In 2018 a law society was disbanded at Exeter University after screenshots emerged of racist messages posted in a students’ WhatsApp group, including co
Professor Kalwant Bhopal from the University of Birmingham has written on the subject and pointed out that in the UK there are only 85 black professors, of whom just 26 are female. And of the 154 higher education institutions in the country, only three are led by vice chancellors from a BME background.