On 18 March, the Department of Social Policy and Intervention (DSPI) hosted an impactful event to share the findings of the OUR SPACE 2024 survey and qualitative interviews, marking a significant step forward in Oxford University’s ongoing commitment to research on preventing sexual misconduct. The event was designed to foster collaboration between university research teams, professional services, and Students’ Union pastoral support, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated approach to prevention and support.
With representatives from The University of Oxford's Equality and Diversity Unit, Student Welfare and Support Services, and the Students' Union, the event provided a platform to discuss the critical role of collaborative efforts in shaping evidence-based policies and practices around sexual violence prevention. The discussions centred on how Oxford’s academic research is guiding future decision-making, with an emphasis on developing evidence-based strategies to provide the most effective support for students.
The event also highlighted Oxford’s leadership in this area, with a focus on how the University is using its own rigorous research to inform national conversations around sexual misconduct. Insights from the OUR SPACE project have been instrumental in shaping the Office for Students' national review of sexual misconduct policies in higher education, ensuring that Oxford’s approach resonates beyond the university and contributes to sector-wide change.
Feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants praising the collaborative environment and Oxford's proactive approach to addressing sexual misconduct.
"We're really proud of our collaborative partnership with the OUR SPACE researchers, and grateful to have such a wealth of data and knowledge to highlight student experience and amplify student voice related to sexual misconduct. Being transparent about the nature and prevalence of sexual misconduct at Oxford is a powerful tool to show survivors that their stories matter, and to think strategically about creating a culture of consent. OUR SPACE data informs our strategic development, provides context for our work and helps us advocate for the importance of our service across the institution", said Thalia Wallis, Service Lead of the Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service (SHVSS).
The partnership between researchers, administrative departments, and student support services underscores the importance of a holistic, integrated response to this critical issue.
This event is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Oxford's leadership in addressing sexual violence, using evidence-based research to shape future policies and improve the student experience. In May 2025, Dr Bridget Steele, Lecturer in Evidence-Based Intervention and Policy Evaluation at DSPI and Principal Investigator of the OUR SPACE study, received a grant from the University of Oxford’s Van Houten Fund to develop and pilot an evaluation of the effectiveness of the mandatory sexual violence prevention training – the first formal research in this area at Oxford and will include the development of a tool that could be used by other English higher education institutions.
“All English higher education institutions are required by the Office for Students to deliver and evaluate yearly, mandatory, evidence-based sexual violence prevention training for student,” said Dr Bridget Steele, Lecturer in Evidence-Based Intervention and Policy Evaluation at DSPI and Principal Investigator of the OUR SPACE study. “As the leaders in research on sexual misconduct in the UK, we have a unique opportunity to develop an evaluation tool that could be used both internally in Oxford and across the sector.”
