Strategy and policies

The University’s Preventing Harm in Research (Safeguarding) Policy is a statement of the University’s commitment to ensuring the physical safety and mental health and wellbeing of research students and staff undertaking fieldwork, as part of research and innovation activities. It sets out roles and responsibilities at all stages, from grant applications and recruitment to planning, undertaking and debriefing fieldwork.   
 
Developing robust safeguarding policies and processes is increasingly expected by funders, particularly those with international development or health as their areas of focus. Safeguarding is important to consider both when developing your funding application (appropriate resourcing and role allocation) and during the lifecycle of projects (co-development of robust processes and on-going monitoring). 

All researchers undertaking work with children, young people and vulnerable adults should be aware of the University’s Policy for the Safeguarding and Protection of Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults. This policy provides guidance on the responsibilities of all members of the University community in relation to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. It also describes the procedure that a member of staff should follow if they suspect a child, young person or vulnerable adult (of any gender) is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, harm.

All researchers undertaking work with children, young people and vulnerable adults should be aware of this policy and their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and undertake necessary training through their school or college. The policy should be read in conjunction with other relevant policies, including those of research funders or partner organisations.

The University must ensure that those who travel, or work, overseas are protected, so far as is reasonably practicable, from risks to their health and safety. The University has prepared an institutional policy and guidance on the procedures to be followed when travel is planned or being undertaken. Please also see the University advice on sustainability and travel. 

As part of the University’s travel insurance conditions, all trips outside the UK, and any UK trips involving an overnight stay, or air travel, must be registered within the University Travel Approval Portal (TRICAP). All trips taken by University staff or students when travelling on University business must be risk assessed and approved in accordance with the University's Travel Risk Assessment Procedure.  

It is important for colleagues to familiarise themselves with these requirements at an early stage and to leave sufficient time for approvals to be processed. The Travel Process Flowchart (updated 2610124) (pdf file) provides an overview of the travel risk assessment and approval process for low risk UK and international travel and for higher risk travel. 

Emotionally demanding research can be defined as research demanding a tremendous amount of mental, emotional, or physical energy and which potentially affects or depletes the researcher’s health or well-being (Kumar and Cavallaro, 2018).

In an article published in October 2023, Julie Riddell of the School of Health &  Wellbeing sets out guidance and sources of support for staff and students who work in the field of emotionally demanding research, including guidance for managers and project leaders. As Julie notes, emotionally demanding research might include:

• research on sensitive issues (e.g. violence, abuse, mental health, chronic or terminal illness, death)
• research similar to personal trauma previously experienced by the researcher
• the researcher’s experience of traumatic life events while conducting a study
• unexpected events that arise during research in what was previously not identified as a sensitive issue.  

Learn more about emotionally demanding research

Emotionally demanding research network Scotland 

‌'Furth' of Glasgow refers to postgraduate research student placements off-campus at other institutions. The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that there are satisfactory arrangements in place, in terms of facilities, supervision and health and safety, and insurance to cover and support its students while they are on placement.

Guidance and further information, including College-specific guidance, can be found on the University's Research Furth of Glasgow webpages.

Fieldwork includes larger scale activities such as archaeological digs, student fieldtrips and research fieldtrips as well as smaller scale work such as interviews, survey and sample collection activities carried out by staff and students in many disciplines.

Heads of School and Heads of Service have overall responsibility for health and safety in their management units and must make sure that risk assessments are conducted for fieldwork carried out by staff and students under their supervision. The aim of this is to make sure that safe working arrangements are in place for all University-sanctioned staff and student activities conducted beyond the campus environment.

Information and guidance on fieldwork safety can be found on the following webpages:

• University of Glasgow - MyGlasgow - Safety & Environmental Protection Service - A-Z index - Travel, fieldwork and placement - Fieldwork 
• Travel and fieldwork flowchart for students and staff 

The University’s Safety and Environmental Protection Service (SEPS)  Guidance and training on a range of areas relating to health and safety, can be found on the Safety and Environmental Protection Service (SEPS) website. This includes training in first-aid, manual handling, fire safety, chemical safety, biological safety, specialist wastes. 

The following training for UofG staff is also available: 

• Managing Safely (IOSH approved)
• Working Safely (IOSH approved)  

The Campus securty Team have created a process for identifying events at risk of disruption, requiring additional measures of security and seeks to mitigate the threats and risks identified in a transparent process.

University of Glasgow - MyGlasgow - Campus Security Team - Threat & Risk Assessment 

The University is committed to protecting the dignity of students, staff and visitors in their interactions with others. You'll find support and guidance for all below: 

• Dignity at work and study - guidance and support 
• Dignity at work and study policy and procedure 
• Report violence, bullying or sexual violence (student only) 
• Report violence, bullying or sexual violence (staff only)