The ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises remains highly distressing for many in the King’s community. Our hopes and thoughts go out to all those impacted by this devastating conflict.
As a University, our focus is on supporting our students and staff as best we can during this difficult time. We urge our students and staff to access the support that is available and we will do our utmost to help in any way we can.
Our Chaplains are there for students and staff of all faiths and none for informal and confidential discussions and are experienced at talking with people who are experiencing grief and anxiety. They can be contacted at chaplaincy@kcl.ac.uk.
Support for students
Counselling support is available to our students. Students can speak to the King’s Counselling & Mental Health Support Service which offers free and confidential in-person and online support as well as King’s Counselling Online service. Students may also like to connect with their peers through KCLSU.
You may be finding it hard to focus on your studies at this time if you are closely affected by these events. Please reach out to your tutor for direct advice and support. If you believe your ability to complete an assessment of any type might be, or has been, adversely affected by mitigating circumstances, you should complete and submit a mitigating circumstances request.
If any students face financial difficulty as a result of the conflict, we encourage them to speak with one of our specialist advisers in the Money & Housing Advice Team. Students who are in unexpected financial need with their living costs can also apply to the King’s hardship funds.
Support for staff
Staff may also want to talk to a trusted colleague or manager, and our independent and confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) can be contacted by phone or email.
Reporting inappropriate behaviour
Racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, abuse, incitement and harassment are totally unacceptable and have no place at King’s. Any incidents targeted at you or that you witness, should be reported through our online tool, Report + Support. This can be done anonymously if you feel more comfortable doing that.
All reports made through Report + Support are taken seriously and handled through our well established protocols.
Staying safe on campus
We know that some staff and students are feeling more vulnerable at the moment. King’s campuses and residences all have security cover 24/7. Security support can be accessed at our security receptions or by calling 0207 848 2222 or extension 2222 from a King’s landline. There is also a help point by Shepherd’s House on Guy’s campus where you can call for assistance.
SafeZone is an app available to all King’s students and staff to make it easier for you to contact our Security team directly from your mobile device. Find out more about SafeZone and download it here using your King’s credentials to register. If in an emergency, call 999 and ask for the appropriate service.
Diversity of perspectives
Freedom of expression and academic freedom are core values of the University, and open discussion and debate is the life-blood of learning and research here. The University encourages its diverse community of students and staff to actively engage in scholarly discussion of these very complex issues and to express their views. We expect that constructive disagreement is voiced with civility, and that all dialogue is lawful.
Sanctuary Programme
As part of King’s wish to do more for those caught up in conflict, we are expanding our Sanctuary programme. This offers support to students and academics displaced by conflict. We have committed to provide up to an additional £500,000 per year for at least the next three years to support students through fee waivers and stipends at Foundation, Undergraduate and Postgraduate level, as well as to offer support for Post Graduate Researchers and Academics through the Council for At Risk Academics (CARA).
Travel guidance
If you are planning to travel overseas or are returning to the UK, please check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website and follow the guidance in place for the country you are travelling to and from. Please make sure you are following the university guidance with regard to business or study travel.
Aid organisations
Many of you have asked what you can do to help communities impacted by the ongoing humanitarian crisis, in Gaza and Israel. The Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) brings together 15 leading aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently at times of crisis overseas. If you would like to support relief efforts a list of the DEC’s member charities is available on their website.
Expert comment
Since the attacks on 7 October, our academic and research insights have been in demand as the media and public seek analysis around what is happening in the region and the wider global consequences of the conflict.