“Despite what we may think, racism is complex and often subtle,” says Dr Albert Atkin, who conducts research into race and racism.

“Obviously we want to tackle explicit verbal and physical abuse, but research shows that most racism is implicit, unintended, or arises from the way our society is organised. Indeed, implicit and structural racism are often the most damaging and insidious.

“We know, for instance, that people from racialised groups are less likely to receive positive feedback from managers, face greater obstacles to success, and are often held to higher standards than their white counterparts. Many of the most troubling cases go unnoticed by people in positions of privilege, such as the increased likelihood of racial minorities being interrupted in meetings, or not receiving acknowledgement for their work. Even things which may not appear to be negative, such as being complemented on how well you speak or write English, contribute to racism.

“Regardless of whether the racism people face is explicit, implicit, or even structural, the negative impacts are destructive – increased stress and anxiety, decreased wellbeing, imposter syndrome, increased staff turnover, and student attrition, just to name a few.

“If we’re serious about tackling racism, our community must commit to challenging it in all its forms, and we must respond seriously wherever we see racism in action.”

As part of Macquarie’s efforts to foster an inclusive campus environment, the University this month launched the Your racism response guide for students and Responding to racism, racial bias or discrimination for staff. These resources outline:

• How to take action if you witness racism or discrimination
• What to do if you experience racism on or off campus
• How you can support a colleague or student if they have experienced racism

“We all have a responsibility to listen, to reflect, and to play our part in building an inclusive and welcoming environment for staff and students,” says Nicole Gower, Vice President, People and Services.

“I urge every member of our community to use the resources and information provided here to take steps to learn more and take action to bring about change”.