Cardiff University confirms race equality review after medical student ‘dons blackface’ in play

Vice-chancellor says he is 'keen for the university to learn lessons'

Cardiff University, pictured (Wikimedia Commons/Stan Zurek)

Cardiff University is to carry out an independent review into issues of racial equality after an alleged incident involving a reportedly racist play by its medical students.

The institution has said the review will initially focus on its school of medicine, giving “particular consideration” to recent concerns and allegations raised about a satirical comedy show about the medical school called Anaphylaxis.

According to the university’s student newspaper, Gair Rhydd, a student who featured in the play “wore black face paint to portray a lecturer” at the school earlier this year. The university later confirmed it had “received a number of complaints” in relation to the alleged incident.

Announcing the review on Wednesday, vice-chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan, said he was “keen for the university to learn lessons,” adding its recommendations would “feed into the university’s application for the Race Equality Charter.”

He continued: “Cardiff University needs to be a place where all our students and staff can thrive, irrespective of their background, and the review is part of our proactive approach to ensuring this.

“Cardiff University takes issues relating to equality and diversity very seriously and is committed to supporting, developing, and promoting equality and diversity in all of our activities.”

Professor of mental health and diversity at King’s College London, Dinesh Bhugra, has been asked to undertake the review which will begin work over the summer and report in the autumn.

Professor Riordan said: “I am pleased Professor Bhurga has agreed to chair this review. It is vital to have a chair of appropriate expertise and high standing, and Professor Bhugra is eminently qualified on both fronts.”

Professor Bhugra will be supported by a secretary and two yet-to-be-appointed independent panel members.

Regarding complaints received about the play, a university spokesperson said the dean of medicine had written to all staff and students to remind them of the university’s “clear policy” on equality and diversity.

Gair Rhydd reports that Anaphylaxis is run annually by third-year medical students, and was advertised by the school of medicine in its 2015/16 undergraduate degree programme as part of a charity campaign. This year, however, the paper says the event was run independent of the campaign which had not taken place.

The university spokesperson added: “The university aims to establish an inclusive culture, free from discrimination and based upon the values of dignity, courtesy, and respect.

“Any student found to have behaved unacceptably may be the subject of disciplinary action as set out in the Student Disciplinary Code.”

The university added the independent investigation is on-going, and said it would not be commenting further until the outcome is known.