The Bartlett Faculty shares progress update following external investigation

A report with the findings from an independent investigation into behaviour and culture at the Bartlett School of Architecture (BSA) was published in June 2022. The report identified unacceptable behaviour at the BSA and detailed a number of recommendations to create a safer, supportive and more positive culture for students and staff. UCL’s full apology and statement can be viewed here, and the full investigation report is available online. 

UCL apologises and accepts the recommendations from the investigation in full. Immediate action was taken following receipt of the report, including the removal of a number of staff from student-facing and administrative duties with immediate effect, while further investigations are carried out.  

The Bartlett School of Architecture is home to many passionate, committed staff and students. I thank them for their dedication and support for the BSA, and for each other, as they work together to find a shared way forward. - Professor Jacqui Glass, Interim Director of the Bartlett School of Architecture

Progress is now being made by staff and students in the BSA towards creating better architecture education experiences. 

Four Action Groups are being created, bringing together staff and students to develop proposals and design solutions around care and wellbeing, the crit experience, the unit selection process, and communications. Changes in these areas will be implemented for the start of the 2022-23 academic year, and further Action Groups may be formed as this work continues over the coming months. 

A Steering Group has also been created to coordinate and support the Action Groups, formed of BSA staff and two elected students from the school. Professor Jacqui Glass, interim Director of the BSA, is chairing the Steering Group, and leadership will pass to Professor Amy Kulper when she takes up the role of Director of the BSA in September 2022. The Steering Group will be overseen by Anthony Smith, UCL Vice-Provost (Faculties), and will report regularly to UCL’s University Management Committee. 

Alongside these formal groups, regular meetings and open dialogue with staff and students within the BSA are continuing. 

The BSA is also actively engaging with the wider architecture sector to open up conversations about the future of architecture education and practice.  

The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment hosted the first in a series of Architecture Roundtables at UCL on Wednesday 22nd June, bringing together practitioners, educators, researchers, advocacy groups and professional bodies from across the sector.  

This event started a dialogue on how to disrupt existing structures of privilege and power, and to create spaces and opportunities for those who have been marginalised. A summary of the discussion can be viewed here.  

The next roundtable event will take place in September. Please contact Bartlett.Comms@ucl.ac.uk if you are interested in attending this event. 

I wholeheartedly support the Bartlett School of Architecture staff and student community at this difficult time, as they reflect on the findings of the external investigation into culture and behaviour in the school. I am heartened by the progress they have already made towards creating more positive and inclusive educational experiences in architecture, and I firmly believe that we can embrace this opportunity to create positive change for the BSA and the wider architecture sector. - Professor Christoph Lindner, Dean of the Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment