For best experience please turn on javascript and use a modern browser!
You are using a browser that is no longer supported by Microsoft. Please upgrade your browser. The site may not present itself correctly if you continue browsing.
For the first time this academic year, the Master’s programmes Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, and Stochastics and Financial Mathematics organised a bystander training for students during the introduction day of the programme. Among other things, this training discussed: what is undesirable behaviour? What do you do if you experience or see something like this happening, and what can you do? Where can you turn to if necessary?

Following a number of incidents within the programmes and the growing attention to the topic of social safety, a suitable intervention was sought for our students. It was decided to hold the training during the introduction day in order to reach the largest possible audience. Moreover, this day provides an opportunity to introduce students (implicitly) to the university's values and standards of interaction, in addition to the introduction to the programme.

The training lasted well over an hour and was held by the foundation Our Bodies Our Voice. The UvA Central Diversity Office has been working with this foundation since 2018, which focuses on preventing undesirable behaviour and achieving a culture of consent at universities by offering workshops and trainings.

The bystander training was very well received. While some students may have been a little hesitant or giggly in the first few minutes, they were soon convinced of the importance of the training by the inspired speaker, Gabriella Thompson. She managed to keep a good balance between seriousness and humour, so the training was not perceived as heavy. Moreover, she created a safe environment where people could speak freely. After an explanation of tools, students interacted with each other based on predetermined cases, both focused on the academic environment and beyond. Some students shared their experiences in the group. To ensure safety, no other staff was present besides the student advisor.

Afterwards, both international and Dutch students indicated that they appreciated the fact that the programme pays attention to social safety. For example, because they experienced such a situation during the bachelor's programme, or because they are not used to these values from the university in their home country.