Creating safe spaces

The Equality Act (2010) legally protects people of protected characteristics from being discriminated against. Loughborough University has a duty to prevent harmful behaviour and to create a safe environment for all staff and students. The consequence of people feeling unsafe leads to isolation, poor wellbeing, drops in student attainment or staff performance and non-continuation or leaving employment.

Key Definitions

Psychological safety: Feeling a sense of safety is a belief that one will not be punished, humiliated or ignored when bringing ideas, questions, concerns or mistakes. This safety creates an environment where individuals feel a sense of belonging and are able to make mistakes without fear of negative consequence.   

Harm reduction: Refers to a range of intentional practice which lessen the negative impact of human behaviour. We can consider discrimination including systematic racism, misogyny and transphobia as forms of bias or habit that become implicit and hidden causing harm. Focusing on reducing the harm caused to others and ourselves. This allows us to learn to be in better relationships across difference and make repairs when needed even when mistakes have been made.  

Professional boundaries: Boundaries serve as guidelines that help to maintain a healthy level of separation between different aspects of our lives. By defining personal and professional boundaries, we define expectations, set limits and establish respectful relationships with ourselves and others. These may include but not limited to time, workload and prioritising, digital boundaries, expectation setting, self-care and restorative action.

Top tips to create safe spaces

  • Learn and pronounce names correctly. If unsure, ask politely and write down phonetically. Use and encourage staff and students to download hearmyname.net/  
  • Think about your tone and language used. Use inclusive language and be aware of the needs of others within the space.
  • Consider inclusive actions. Think about sharing written content before meetings, ensure breaks
  • Actively listening. Are you engaged in the space? What are you communicating with body language?
  • Use affirmations. Actively encourage, be supportive and offer positivity.
  • Tolerate your own discomfort. Recognise and reflect on your own emotions. Challenge internal assumptions and resistance. Build insight.
  • Recognise and challenge stereotypes. Learn how to identify harmful stereotypes and how to intervene.
  • Value Difference. Understand how difference can add value to the organisation and individuals around you.
  • Reflect. Seek and give feedback. Engage in reflective practice, Identify areas of growth for continuous learning. 

Further Reading