Not making eye contact or avoiding speaking directly to someone could be racist behaviour, according to Oxford University's latest guidance.

The institution's Equality and Diversity Unit advised that avoiding eye contact could be a 'racial micro-aggression', which can lead to 'mental ill-health'.

It came in its Trinity term newsletter and also warned that other examples of 'everyday racism' could include asking someone where they are 'originally' from.

It also warned against jokes drawing attention to someone's accent.

It said: "Sometimes called "micro-aggressions", subtle, everyday racism can appear trivial.

"But repeated micro-aggressions can be tiring and alienating (and can lead to mental ill-health."

It then listed three examples.

  • Not making eye contact or speaking directly to people
  • Not believing someone is British ('Where are you from? No, I mean originally...')
  • 'Jokes' drawing attention to someone's difference, their accent or nationality

It added: "Some people who do these things may be entirely well-meaning and would be mortified to realise they had caused offence.

"But this is of little consequence if a possible effect of their words or actions is to suggest to people they may fulfil a negative stereotype, or do not belong."