The development of the badges during the Covid-19 pandemic was a collaboration between AAD Comms, the Conference of Colleges and Oxford Student Union as part of planning for the 2020-2021 academic year. Students were involved in developing the designs and approving the final choice of designs.

One badge was designed for students who were exempt from wearing face coverings and the others were intended to be worn as a sign of solidarity and to show awareness of and respect for the covid regulations in force. At a time of concern in the University and the local community about infection levels rising as students returned to Oxford, the badges were part of a wider campaign which included social media graphics, email communications and posters in colleges and university buildings.