Length of project/engagement: 4-6 months (survey fieldwork) + ongoing actions
Why this approach: Ensuring students feel safe moving around campus and local areas at night is a key part of their university experience and wellbeing. To understand student perceptions and identify priority areas, the University and the Students’ Union jointly launched a short survey inviting students to share their experiences and suggestions. The findings provided a clear evidence base to shape practical improvements and communications.
The MRI team designed and analysed the survey, ensuring robust methodology and clear reporting
The Wellbeing & Student Experience team coordinated follow-up actions with relevant services
Campus Safety team used the findings to prioritise practical interventions
Student Communications team strengthened communication around existing support
Students:
The survey was co-led with the Students’ Union and championed by the then SU Vice President for Welfare and Campaigns, Enaya Nihal (later elected SU President 2024/25)
It was actively promoted by both the University and SU, with a strong social media campaign driven by the SU to encourage responses
More than 1,000 students responded, sharing both quantitative ratings and free-text feedback. Their input highlighted what was already working (e.g. 93% of students feel safe on campus) and where improvements were most needed (e.g. lighting, visibility of security patrols)
Quotes:
No one should ever have to feel unsafe, regardless of where they are, what they're wearing, or what time it is. As a woman who hasn't felt safe on a night out, the fears students have spoken about in this survey resonated with me, so I'm really glad we have been able to create so much change within the past two years, and I hope we can keep going! I am grateful to every member of staff and every student who contributed to this campaign; Warwick is becoming safer thanks to you! Enaya Nihal | President of Warwick Student's Union
Only by engaging with our community will we be able to make our campus at night safer for all, and that’s why it’s so important for us to understand the practical steps we can take for those who are travelling home from work, studying, exercise, and all the other reasons in between. We've had positive discussions with our partners based on the findings from last year’s survey. Your feedback and experiences will be extremely valuable as we work together and plan the way forward.
George Saxon | Head of Transport Operations & Systems, The University of Warwick
Key Objectives
Gather authentic student perspectives on safety when moving around campus and local areas at night
Identify specific issues (e.g. lighting, transport, patrol visibility) and prioritise them for action
Strengthen communication with students about safety measures already in place, raising awareness of tools and support services
Close the feedback loop by showing students how their views have led to tangible changes
Key Outcomes
The University committed to a set of actions in response to student feedback, including:
Increasing security patrols on key walking routes
Enhancing visibility of the Community Safety team
The Estates team upgraded around 300 existing external lights to new LED lights around key pedestrian routes and building entrances
They installed new lights in areas previously identified for improvement, moving towards LED lighting to improve reliability and ensure everyone feels safe when moving around campus
Certified the Copper Rooms and Terrace Bar as Safe Places by the Egalitarian, ensuring that we have the latest safeguarding training in place
The Transport team held discussions with both National Express and Stagecoach to discuss the findings of the survey, and have worked with them on how to better highlight what people can do on a bus if they are feeling unsafe
Findings were also shared with local councils. Coventry City Council requested a breakdown of data for students living off campus in the city to inform targeted improvements
