An ethically and socially responsible university
We're a leading global university focused on Education, Research, and Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise – our "triple helix." We are made up of a diverse community and we are committed to acting ethically and responsibly in everything we do.
Our values are outlined in our University Strategy, supported by a sustainability plan developed with the Students' Union. This plan helps us align our work with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Organisational structure
The University of ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ is a large, interdisciplinary institution and a founding member of the Russell Group. Established in 1862 as the Hartley Institute, we received our Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth II in 1952. We operate campuses in ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, Winchester, Malaysia, and India.
Overview
Our Commitment to the Modern Slavery Act
We take active steps to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking:
- Ensuring all staff have the legal right to work in the UK through our recruitment policy and processes.
- Promoting a safe, inclusive workplace free from abuse or coercion and safeguarding employees.
- Training staff to identify and report risks of modern slavery.
- Monitoring our operations and supply chains for potential risks of modern slavery.
Key Actions Taken
- Raising awareness of modern slavery in our supply chain.
- Strengthening responsible procurement through an internal framework, embedding best practice in tenders and contract management.
- Segmenting our supply chain by category to understand high risk areas for targeted action.
- Offering anonymous reporting via Report+Support.
- Paying above the Living Wage Foundation rate for over a decade.
- Launching Inclusive Recruitment Champions to promote diversity.
- Upholding ethical, legal and professional standards through our research integrity framework.
- Ensuring ethical investments through our Treasury Management Policy and excluding links to modern slavery.
Employment policy and practices
We embed our principles through People-Focused policies and ensure ethical and inclusive employment through:
1: Robust recruitment practices
- Face-to-face or live video interviews to confirm voluntary participation.
- Pre-employment checks (e.g. right to work, references, qualifications, DBS).
- Clear employment contracts outlining pay, benefits, and conditions.
- Salary paid directly to the employee's bank account.
2: Casual work oversight
UniWorkforce ensures casual workers have the right to work, are paid fairly, and processed through payroll.
3: Agency and apprenticeship oversight
External recruitment partners are vetted through our procurement and contract management processes.
4: Manager support and training:
Guidance and training are available for all levels of recruitment experience.
5: ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ behaviours
Promote trust, respect, compassion, and collaboration across the University.
6: Grievance and whistleblowing
Clear procedures for raising concerns,, including modern slavery, with updated policies in place since March 2025.
7: Staff support services
- Report+ Support: Anonymous or named reporting of bullying, harassment, or abuse
- Harassment Contacts: Confidential support
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 wellbeing support
- Occupational Health: Health advice and support
- Equality Staff Networks: Community and representation
- Faith and Reflection Centre: Independent listening service for all beliefs
8: Supporting policies
- Ethics Policy
- Inclusion and Respectful Behaviour Policy
- Whistleblowing Policy
- Anti-Corruption, Fraud & Bribery Policy
- Conflict of Interest Policy
- Health and Safety Policy
Procurement and the supply chain
Ethical supply chain commitment
We expect our suppliers to uphold the same high standards as the University. With over
£200m spent annually across 5,500+ UK and international suppliers, we embed ethical practices throughout our procurement processes to combat modern slavery and human trafficking. This is central to our five-year Procurement Strategy under the theme of Responsible Procurement.
Key actions
1: Understanding our supply chains
We categorise suppliers to identify high-risk areas-such as ICT hardware, construction, lab consumables, and furniture-and apply focused due diligence during tendering and contract management. A Responsible Procurement Risk Assessment helps flag potential modern slavery risks.
2: Due diligence
- Tender documents include modern slavery checks and rejection criteria.
- High-risk tenders include extra questions and KPls to monitor supplier compliance.
- Contracts include clauses for legal compliance and termination for breaches.
- Strategic suppliers are reviewed regularly, with anti-modern slavery policies required.
- ICT hardware is sourced via the LUPC framework, monitored by Electronics Watch,
an independent organisation that oversees factory working conditions. - Through SUPC, we are an affiliate member of Electronics Watch and use vetted national frameworks.
3: Supplier code of conduct
Published on our website and included in high-risk tenders, this outlines our expectations for ethical supplier behaviour.
4: Training and awareness
Procurement and contract teams receive modern slavery training, including sector-specific modules and workshops. We also engage with UKUPC and other sector groups to share best practices.
Active Bystander workshops help staff challenge poor behaviours.
Future plans: 2025 and beyond
We aim to strengthen our efforts through the following actions:
- Refine supply chain categorisation to better identify high-risk areas.
- Expand our responsible procurement framework to capture and track activity through tendering and contract management phases.
- Continue collaboration with UKUPC and sector groups to share best practices.
- Raise awareness across the University via internal web pages and communications.
- Explore new initiatives through the Sustainability and Resilience Institute.
- Deliver the Reducing Casualisation project to promote fair employment by reducing reliance on non-permanent contracts.
- Increase awareness of the Modern Slavery Act through our Inclusive Recruitment Champions and training programmes.
This statement was endorsed by the University Executive Board on 7 October 2025, and approved by the University's Council on 25 November 2025.
Signed by: Professor Mark E. Smith
President and Vice-Chancellor, ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ