Cambridge accused of a 'grim culture of bullying' as staff survey finally emerges

University blamed for 'cover up' of findings showing only 25% of employees are satisfied

- Anna Fazackerley

Only a quarter of staff at Cambridge University are satisfied with how their department tackles bullying and harassment, according to an internal survey seen by the Observer.

Cambridge undertook its staff culture survey in January 2024 and is now facing accusations from academics that it tried to cover up the “grim” results, which have been released through freedom of information (Fol) requests.

A spokesperson for the university said this weekend that it was supporting departments to take action where issues had been identified. They said: “We take concerns about bullying seriously and strongly encourage anyone who experiences such behaviour to report it.”

Just 27% of staff agreed that they were happy with attempts to address bullying and harassment with some of the most high-profile science departments scoring especially badly and only half of staff (52%) said their department supported their mental health and wellbeing.

The results have prompted an academic at the university, astrophysicist Prof Wyn Evans, to break with tradition and seek nominations in the forthcoming election of Cambridge’s new chancellor on an anti-bullying manifesto, after Labour peer David Sainsbury announced his resignation from the post last year.

Evans said: “This survey reveals a grim culture of bullying and harassment, yet the most shocking thing of all is that the university found this out a year ago and hasn't taken any action.

“If a senior academic is valuable to the university because they hold a lot of research grants bringing in a lot of money, Cambridge won't touch them,” he added. “If there is a grievance, it will be discarded.”