Addressing racism is a shared responsibility in the university community

At the University of Oulu, we strive to identify and eliminate practices and structures that produce and sustain inequalities. Addressing inappropriate behaviour and discrimination, as well as raising awareness and providing training, are at the core of our anti-racism efforts.

In the 2025 International Student Barometer (ISB) survey, 82% of respondents from the University of Oulu (N=457) reported that they had not experienced discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or nationality. In other words, approximately one in five international students who responded to the survey has encountered discrimination due to their ethnic or national background.

One of the key measures in the University’s Equality and diversity plan for 2026–2029 is the prevention of racism and other forms of discrimination and harassment. The aim is to reduce the proportion of students and staff who report having experienced harassment in the ISB survey and the staff well-being survey.

How to intervene in racism

Racism can manifest, for example, as exclusion from a group, jokes based on ethnicity, or exposure to racist material.

Every member of the university community can intervene in situations involving racism:

  1. Identify the racist situation
  2. Support the person who is being targeted
  3. Tackle a racist situation
  4. Report racism
  5. Work against racism every day

Five Ds toolkit

During the past year, two active bystander workshops have been organised at the University of Oulu. These workshops have addressed concrete ways of intervening in situations of harassment, including the use of the “Five Ds” toolkit. The Five Ds include:

  • (Be) Direct – intervene directly in the situation, for example by asking if everything is okay.
  • Delegate – seek help from others, for example by asking other bystanders or a campus security guard to assist.
  • Distract – shift attention elsewhere, for example by starting a new conversation or dropping something.
  • Delay – act after the situation, for example by checking in with the person who was targeted to see if they are okay.
  • Document – make notes about the situation for possible reporting later.

Reporting channels and additional information

If you encounter racist discrimination at the university, follow the guidelines for inappropriate treatment and harassment.

If you have been the victim of a racist crime, contact the police (112) and file a police report.

  • A racist crime or hate crime is an offence motivated by prejudice or hostility towards the victim’s ethnic or national origin.
  • The most common offences with a racist motive include assault, menace, and defamation. The motive of the act determines whether it constitutes a racist crime. Please familiarise yourself with the police guidelines on hate crimes for further information.
  • If needed, you can seek support from Victim Support Finland (Rikosuhripäivystys).
  • What is a racist crime? Advice for victims.
  • You can use this online form to submit non-urgent information to the police about suspicious material encountered on the internet, for example related to racism, hate, or violence. The police are active on social media, and a list of active online police officers can be found on the police website.

In matters related to racism, you may also contact the City of Oulu’s anti-racism support centre. The support centre offers low-threshold services, and you can seek assistance anonymously.

Created 28.4.2026 | Updated 28.4.2026