Urgent action needed to tackle 'toxic culture' at University of Aberdeen, report warns

An independent report has warned that urgent action is needed to address a “toxic culture” at the University of Aberdeen.

The review, carried out by consultancy firm SUMS, found that significant cultural and behavioural challenges were undermining the university’s credibility, with a lack of trust and respect between different layers of governance.

It also reported that toxic and intimidating behaviours had become normalised, adding that some staff said they were overstretched.

The university commissioned the report as part of efforts to improve its internal culture and ensure a sustainable future.

It comes as the institution faces major financial pressures, needing to save £5.5m in the next academic year.

So far, around £4m in savings have been identified, and job losses have not been ruled out. Its most recent voluntary redundancy scheme closed in September.

A Freedom of Information request by STV News revealed that more than 100 staff accessed mental health support in the last academic year.

Responding to the report, a University of Aberdeen spokesperson said: “The higher education sector in Scotland is facing unprecedented challenges and, like many institutions, the University of Aberdeen has needed to make changes to ensure a long-term stable and successful financial future.

“This independent report was commissioned to help us identify opportunities to improve the efficiency of our governance arrangements and make us more agile as an institution and better able to respond to the challenges facing the sector.

“The university community has been very engaged in this process and the findings have been shared across the institution with reflective discussions taking place both at court, our governing body, and senate.

“The report provides an opportunity to re-set and redefine the university’s governance towards a more streamlined, transparent, equitable and collaborative approach based on mutual trust and accountability.

“We look forward to taking the recommendations forward with our community as part of our new Adapting for Continued Success programme.”

The University and College Union (UCU), which represents staff, welcomed the findings and said it hoped they would lead to a “reset” in relationships between management, staff and the university’s governing bodies.

Professor Pete Edwards has officially begun his new role as principal. STV News

The report’s publication comes as Professor Pete Edwards officially begins his new role as principal.

He is expected to outline his vision for the university later this month.

Mary Senior, UCU Scotland official, said: “With a new principal just in the door, we’re looking to a new era in constructive industrial relations.

“In the recent past there have been some tensions in the governance structures at the university between the court and senate, and UCU has been frustrated at feeling excluded from the University’s change programme Adapting for Continued Success.

“Robust discussion and debate are critical to good governance but this needs to be open and transparent, with senior management open to engaging with the university’s senate and the campus trade unions.

“We’ll be looking for Professor Edwards to reset relations, and are hopeful that we can have collegiate working across the university to everyone’s benefit and in the best interests of the institution.”