Goldsmiths opens lawyer-led antisemitism inquiry

Goldsmiths, University of London is opening the first independent inquiry instigated by a higher education institution into antisemitism and whether a university has done enough to prevent it.

The college’s warden, Frances Corner, said the investigation had been triggered by a national uptick in antisemitism on campuses, not specific concerns at the south London institution, and would “ensure that we are providing a safe and supportive environment for Jewish students and staff to study and work”.

In a statement, the university said the inquiry “comes amid a growing focus on the duty of universities to address reports of antisemitism”, referring to a 22 per cent increase in university-related antisemitic incidents in Britain over the past two academic years.

Those findings came from a survey by the Community Security Trust, a charity that monitors antisemitism, which found a spike in antisemitic incidents as tensions escalated in the conflict between Israel and Palestine in May 2021.

The Goldsmiths inquiry will cover the experiences of Jewish staff and students from 1 September 2018 and will take evidence from staff, students, the public and external organisations.

It will aim to determine if Goldsmiths breached the Equality Act, failed to follow its own policies, or failed to support Jewish students and staff who experienced antisemitism at the university.

At the same time, the investigation will explore whether Jewish students and staff have been subjected to antisemitism, whether complaints have been handled in keeping with Goldsmiths’ own policies and procedures and whether those policies and procedures are adequate.

The overall aim is to understand if the university has done enough to make Jewish people feel welcome, included and safe from antisemitism, it said. What the university claims is an unprecedented investigation comes after the president of the National Union of Students (NUS) was dismissed in November last year over allegations of antisemitism.

The NUS’ own lawyer-led investigation found that the union had not been a welcoming place for Jewish people for “at least a decade”. It found that Jewish students attending conferences had felt unwelcome and occasionally afraid for their physical safety.

The union pledged to reinstate Jewish representation on key committees, to run training for staff and elected officials and to introduce an external speakers’ policy.

“The independent inquiry will give us a clear picture of the situation at Goldsmiths and will help ensure we can provide the best support to Jewish members of our community,” said Professor Corner.

The scope and aims of the inquiry allow it to make any recommendations, including restorative actions that Goldsmiths should take. It will be led by Mohinderpal Sethi KC of Littleton Chambers, a leading lawyer with a background in employment and discrimination law. The call for evidence is open from 18 May to 18 August.

ben.upton@timeshighereducation.com