How ‘Campus Climate’ Affects Students’ Attitudes to People of Different Religions

November 26, 2025

Researchers from three universities surveyed 1,000 students over two years to understand how campus environments influence students' attitudes toward religious diversity. Their findings revealed that students develop more positive views about religious differences when they perceive their campus as diverse, have safe spaces to express their own beliefs, and engage in challenging conversations that question stereotypes and assumptions. However, when students encounter insensitive comments that make them feel threatened, their openness to religious diversity declines.

Who is affected

University students of various religious backgrounds (Buddhist, Christian, Sikh, and others)
Students experiencing antisemitism and Islamophobia on campus
Staff and lecturers at UK universities
Faith-based student societies and chaplaincy services
Students in accommodation and social settings where interfaith interactions occur

What action is being taken

Researchers are surveying students to investigate how campus climate influences engagement with other religions and worldviews
Some universities are posting acknowledgments of religious festivals on social media (such as "Happy Vaisakhi" or "Eid Mubarak")
Universities are advertising events like World Humanist Day
Students are creating their own provocative encounters through social interactions, such as cooking dinners for flatmates of different faiths

Why it matters

This research matters because it provides evidence-based guidance for universities to improve interfaith relations at a time when antisemitism and Islamophobia are campus concerns. Understanding that perceived diversity, safe spaces for religious expression, and constructive critical dialogue foster pluralism helps institutions create environments where students can engage positively across religious differences. The findings demonstrate that avoiding discussions of religion can harm student development and interfaith relations, whereas nurturing robust debate helps students mature intellectually and socially in an increasingly diverse society.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint