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University response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine

This page provides information about Oxford Brookes’ response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as advice and support for staff and students impacted

University statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine (3 March 2022)

We have all been shocked and saddened by the distressing situation in Ukraine, which is affecting many people, including members of the Oxford Brookes community. We share the sentiments of horror which have been expressed by many around the world, and the events which are unfolding are truly devastating.

There will be many within our community who are worried about family and friends in the region - our thoughts are with them, with those who are bravely fighting, and with the many thousands of people who are fleeing this war and other conflicts for their own safety and that of their families.

As an educational institution, our priority is to support any staff and students affected. We have been able to confirm there are no Oxford Brookes students or staff currently on exchange, placement or working in Ukraine.

The University’s full public statement can be found online.

Brookes Union has also published a public statement on their website.

Support for students

We have written to all of our Ukrainian, Belarusian and Russian students to offer support. Separately, we have also written to the entire student community on the support available. This includes:

  • The International Student Advice Team which is helping students with the emotional and financial impact of the conflict
  • The University’s Wellbeing team is available to support any students who have been affected
  • Togetherall is available to all students for 24/7 online support
  • Any student who is experiencing financial hardship can seek financial support through the Financial Aid team. 

Support for staff

We have written to all staff in relation to the invasion of Ukraine and the support available.

  • We are encouraging colleagues to speak to their line manager if they are affected.
  • Colleagues can also seek support via the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
  • The free and confidential EAP service offers expert advice and compassionate guidance by phone 24/7, 365 days a year.

Further guidance

Sector advice and university response:

  • The latest statement from Universities UK (UUK), the collective voice of 140 universities across the UK, can be found on the UUK website.
  • The statement includes the steps being taken by UUK and across the university sector in response to the invasion.

Travel:

Temporary visa concessions and support for Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion:

  • Information on concessions to immigration rules for Ukrainian nationals on work and study routes can be found on the UK Government website.
  • The UK Government has also announced further plans to support Ukrainian nationals with extended family members of British nationals to come to the UK.

Information security:

  • The National Cyber Security Centre has advised that although it is not aware of any current specific threats to UK organisations in relation to events in and around Ukraine, there has been an historical pattern of cyber attacks on Ukraine with international consequences.
  • Staff and students are advised to be aware of the latest advice and best practice from the University’s Information Security team. This includes guidance on sharing data security and how to spot phishing emails.

International Criminal Court investigation

  • The Metropolitan Police’s War Crimes Team is gathering evidence in relation to alleged war crimes in Ukraine in support of the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation. Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may themselves have witnessed or been the victim of any war crimes in Ukraine at any time from 21 November 2013 onwards.
  • To report a suspected war crime to the War Crimes team, visit their online reporting tool.

How to help

We know that many people are keen to support the people of Ukraine at this time. You can find out about some of the ways you can help.

This includes support for campaigns being run by:

We are proud of the efforts already undertaken by members of the Oxford Brookes community to help those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Examples include:

  • A group of Oxford Brookes students announced in March 2022 that they would be collectively running 2,685km, which is the distance from Oxford to Ukraine, over the course of a month in an effort to raise donations for the Disasters Emergency Committee humanitarian fund for Ukraine. The students have raised £8,900 so far, significantly beating their initial target of £2,500.
  • Staff and students donating clothes via a Brookes Sport led collection in early March 2022.
  • Oxford Brookes graduate Michael Buick announced that in March Pegg Furniture would donate money from sales to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine appeal. 

Further examples of initiatives being led by the Oxford Brookes community will be shared in due course.

Giving safely

The Charity Commission and Fundraising Regulator has urged the public to give safely to registered charities helping and supporting those affected by the invasion of Ukraine.

You should make a few simple checks before giving:

  • Check the charity’s name and registration number
  • Make sure the charity is genuine before giving any financial information
  • Be careful when responding to emails or clicking on links within them
  • Contact or find out more online about the charity that you’re seeking to donate to or work with to understand how they are spending their funds
  • Look out for the Fundraising Badge on charity fundraising materials, this is the logo which shows that a charity has committed to fundraise in line with the Code of Fundraising Practice.

Events

Please view our events webpages for details of upcoming activities at Oxford Brookes, including those on the subject of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and related matters.

Past events

  • Train: Kyiv – War - a filming screening and Q&A on passengers’ stories between war and peace - Monday 9 May 2022, 7.00pm-9.00pm, Union Hall, Headington Campus

Dr Sarah Whitmore, Reader in Politics at Oxford Brookes, organised a film screening and Director Q&A, live from Kyiv. The event was a fundraiser for the Ukrainian charity Come Back Alive.

  • Ukraine at war: Context, Experiences, Implications - Friday 29 April 2022, 5.00pm-7.00pm, virtual roundtable

Dr Sarah Whitmore, Reader in Politics at Oxford Brookes, joined a virtual roundtable hosted by the University of Stirling to discuss the ongoing situation in Ukraine. 

  • Vigil for Ukraine - Thursday 10 March 2022, 5.00pm, Piazza, Headington Campus

Members of the Oxford Brookes community gathered on the Piazza in front of the John Henry Brookes Building to acknowledge the Russian invasion of Ukraine and be together in a moment of silence and support. This event was organised by the Multifaith Chaplaincy and Brookes Union. We are grateful to all the staff and students who made it possible.

  • Rethinking the border in times of crisis - Wednesday 16 March 2022, 6.00pm-7.30pm, John Henry Brookes Building, Headington Campus

A special Guest Lecture by Professor Ruben Andersson (Anthropology & Migration, Oxford University) was organised by the Migration and Refugee network and part of the 20th Oxford Human Rights Festival. More information can be found on the University’s Events webpages.

  • Oxford Human Rights Festival - 11-22 March 2022, various locations

This year’s theme was ‘Movement’ which aptly captures the experiences of millions of people around the world, affected by climate change, conflict, wars and disasters. People are on a move as they are displaced from resources and places. Listening to their stories, extending solidarity with their struggles, we claim our shared humanity and futures.

The festival was a platform to highlight human rights violations and injustices, reflect on them collectively and represent them in myriad ways through films, theatre, art, exhibitions, panel discussions, seminars and walks on the theme. More information can be found on the festival’s dedicated webpages.