Evidence of racism uncovered at prestigious London university

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The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has vowed to review its efforts to promote equity and inclusion.Credit: David A Eastley / Alamy

Evidence of racism and inequality at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) – a prestigious 120-year-old research university – was reported in an independent study commissioned by the institution last year.

LSHTM says it is “determined to do better” after the review found staff of color remain under-represented and face barriers to career advancement.

The 70-page report, released on December 13, notes that “stakeholders” perceive that the LSHTM itself failed to address and recognize the ways in which it benefited and perpetuated European colonialism. Staff and students have also told its authors that they are not convinced that complaints about racist behavior will be dealt with fairly or responsibly.

The results are “difficult to compare,” LSHTM director Liam Smeeth said in a statement. “Dealing with them is an essential step towards creating an environment where everyone’s contributions and perspectives are valued,” he added. “We deeply regret it and we sincerely apologize to all concerned. “

Research at LSHTM focuses on tropical diseases and public health, and includes several projects related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“So many global health institutions have looked away or been lukewarm in response to growing calls to tackle inequalities and injustices in their operations,” said Ṣẹ̀yẹ Abímbọ́lá, a global health specialist based at the University of Sydney in Australia. As to whether the exam will result in a significant change to LSHTM, he adds, “We’ll have to wait and see.”

“Blatant racism”

LSHTM commissioned the review in 2020, after the Black Lives Matter movement inspired discussions about racism around the world. The journal’s publication follows calls to “decolonize” global health research funding structures and tensions around inequalities in high-level international health research agendas. LSHTM is not the first university to undertake such a review: Imperial College London has published a number of reports, including one from a focus group in 2019 that highlighted experiences of racism and d ‘inequality.

The LSHTM report was produced by a panel of six independent reviewers, supported by three race equality experts. They reviewed LSHTM data and documents, interviewed current and former staff and students, and had focused discussions with selected participants.

Fifty-two percent of survey respondents who were people of color said they had witnessed or experienced racism in college, and the review heard of several cases in which LSHTM had failed to follow up. complaints about racist behavior. Staff and students of color also told reviewers they were reluctant to challenge racist acts because they feared offending or feared repercussions.

“Reports are swept under the carpet,” a former staff member told critics. A professional support staff member said executives who are the subject of complaints “get a slap on the wrist behind a closed door.” A current staff member said the “blatant racism” in their research unit was “out of this world”.

The review authors point out that the survey is not representative of all LSHTM staff, as participants were self-selected. But the report noted that institutional data shows that staff of color faced greater barriers to career progression than their white counterparts. Two-thirds of white staff members who applied for promotion from assistant professor to associate professor between 2017 and 2020 were successful, compared with one-third of staff of color.

Fifty-eight percent of people of color who responded to the survey “disagree” or “strongly disagree” that people of color have an equal opportunity to advance in their careers at LSHTM. Only 27% of white respondents gave the same answers.

Structural issues

“These structural issues are not specific to LSHTM. These are problems that will also have arisen elsewhere. It’s really important for institutions to dig in and fix it, ”says Mishal Khan, social epidemiologist at LSHTM who sits on the institution’s board.

Ngozi Erondu, epidemiologist and public health adviser at Chatham House, a political institute in London, notes that LSHTM was founded before most colonized African countries became independent between the 1950s and 1970s. “Almost any institution established before that date really needs to examine and reflect not only on its historical links to colonialism, but also on its current practices which may have continued since then, ”she said.

The review makes a number of recommendations for LSHTM, including making anti-racism training mandatory for senior leaders and ensuring that complaints and reporting procedures are visible and protect whistleblowers.

Smeeth said in his statement that the university will revise its equity, diversity and inclusion plan by the end of January 2022, in line with the review’s recommendations.

“It won’t be a quick or easy trip, but the work is already underway and this review accelerates and reinforces the change that is needed,” said Mohamed Osman, independent board member of LSHTM and chair of its committee on diversity and inclusion. “If in releasing this report LSHTM is taking one of many steps to help create a more inclusive and equitable sector, then that is a positive result,” he adds.

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