Welcome from the acting Vice-Chancellor

I am immensely proud of the way Durham University staff have responded over this last year to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, demonstrating commitment to our institutional values with innovative approaches to teaching, communication and engagement and a responsible approach to looking after students, staff and the community. We are continuing to invest in developing the digital environment and capabilities of staff to improve the student experience.

As at other institutions, the University did see increases in Covid-19 cases when students first arrived on campus at the start of the academic year and returned towards the end of the year. Staff responded quickly to provide support having learned from the experience of the previous year. Teaching and social activities were provided through a mixture of in-person, with social distancing, and online formats throughout the year in response to government guidance and to support the safety of our community. The social distancing and hygiene arrangements on campus meant very few cases spread between staff or between staff and students.

Our sector-leading, Lateral Flow Testing process provided regular testing facilities for students and staff on campus and will continue into the 2021/22 academic year. The testing facility has helped to reduce the spread of the virus and provides reassurance to students, particularly before travelling home and for engagement in face-to-face activities.

The pandemic has forced us to review and enhance the way we communicate internally, particularly around providing clear and concise messages regarding our response to the changing requirements for Covid-19. We have also published numbers of known cases of Covid-19 to the internal and local community. We have continued to hold online Town Halls with staff and student groups to support our communication of specific topics and invite questions and feedback on any issue. This goes alongside our aim to consult widely and ensure there is a student voice in decisions. We have reviewed our student membership on key committees and are working to improve our consultation process.

Staff and students are working together to make the curriculum more representative. We are demonstrating our commitment to upholding our values by continuing to publish the outcome of investigations where student have breached our disciplinary regulations and withdrew an offer from an applicant found to have posted offensive comments online. I acknowledge there is more to be done to embed our values across the whole University and we are responding to the findings of our Respect Commission survey. We are committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for our staff and students.

The cancellation of A-levels in 2020 and the decision to award students on the basis of Centre Assessed Grades meant we recruited more students in 2020/21 than originally planned. We honoured offers made to students and were pleased that this had only a modest impact on our widening participation targets. The use of Teacher Assessed Grades for A-levels in 2021, again led to an increase in student recruitment above target for 2021/22 and we have recruited more staff to ensure that those students who come to Durham have a great experience.

We continue to evaluate the potential impact of the Skills for Jobs White Paper and future government funding plans to ensure we continue to provide educational experiences aligned to government aims, student desires and the needs of employers.

It has been my pleasure to take on the role of Vice-Chancellor for the interim period until Professor Karen O’Brien joined us in January 2022. I look forward to working together to enhance the future prospects of this wonderful and unique institution and its people.

Antony Long

Acting Vice-Chancellor

University College overlooking Durham's River Wear