LSI

Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom Policy

Policy Statement

The School is committed to upholding free speech and academic freedom, essential for intellectual growth and vibrant discourse. We support an environment where all members can openly discuss, challenge, and explore ideas respectfully and lawfully. Our policy ensures that academic freedom is preserved while maintaining a supportive atmosphere that values diverse perspectives and civil debate, crucial for personal and academic development. We do not restrict lawful speech solely because it is controversial, unpopular, or offensive, provided it is expressed within the bounds of respect and the law. This Policy applies to all Internal, External, and Collaborative Events organised, hosted, or branded by the School — whether conducted in person, online, blended, or through partnership with external organisations.

Principles

  • Expression: Encouraging the free exchange of ideas and opinions in a respectful and constructive manner.
  • Respect: Upholding respect for the rights and opinions of others.
  • Diversity: Valuing diverse viewpoints as essential to the richness of academic debate.
  • Responsibility: Exercising freedom of expression responsibly and within the bounds of the law.
  • Inquiry: Supporting rigorous and independent academic inquiry.
  • Tolerance: Fostering a culture of tolerance and understanding.
  • Safety: Ensuring that free speech is practiced without incitement to hatred or violence.
  • Balance: Balancing the right to free expression with the need to maintain an inclusive environment.
  • Integrity: Maintaining the integrity of academic teaching and research.
  • Legality: Respecting and adhering to legal parameters surrounding free speech.
  • Civility: Advocating civility in discourse as a keystone of constructive dialogue.
  • Review: Regularly examining policies to safeguard and nurture the School’s commitment to free speech and academic freedom.

Regulatory Context

This Policy has been developed in line with the applicable laws, regulations, regulatory advice, and sector best practices, including the following:

Authority Name Url
UK Government Higher Education and Research Act 2017 (HERA)
A UK legislation that reformed the higher education and research sector, particularly by establishing the Office for Students and UK Research and Innovation.
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UK Government Equality Act 2010
Equalities law to prohibit harassment and victimisation, and eliminate discrimination, including in the area of further and higher education, particularly with regards to specified personal characteristics.
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UK Government Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015.
Compliance with the Prevent Duty under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015.
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Office for Students (OfS) Regulatory Advice 24: Guidance Related to Freedom of Speech
The OfS mandates UK higher education providers to protect lawful free speech and academic freedom, ensuring open, respectful debate. It requires institutions to take reasonably practicable steps to secure speech within the law, balance rights with safety and inclusion, and uphold viewpoint neutrality without restricting controversial or unpopular but lawful expression.
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UK Government Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023
The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 strengthens free speech protections in universities and colleges, requiring institutions and students’ unions to uphold lawful expression, prevent unlawful interference, and provide redress for breaches.
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UK Government Human Rights Act 1998
The Human Rights Act 1998 incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law, ensuring public bodies respect individuals’ fundamental rights and allowing citizens to challenge violations in UK courts.
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Commitment to Free Speech and Academic Freedom

This section defines key parameters: 'free speech,' which entails the right to express opinions without censorship; 'academic freedom,' allowing scholars to pursue knowledge without interference; 'hate speech,' defined as language that incites violence or discrimination; and 'censorship,' referring to the suppression of ideas. These definitions form the cornerstones of the School's dedication to promoting free speech and academic freedom.

The scope of this policy encompasses all students, staff, and visiting speakers, outlining their rights to express views and engage in discourse, while emphasising the responsibility to do so respectfully and constructively. This fosters an inclusive environment for diverse perspectives.

The School’s commitment to free speech also includes a responsibility to identify and manage serious risks, including those relating to radicalisation, extremist expression, or other safeguarding concerns. Where events, visiting speakers or online academic content give rise to such risks, they are reviewed in accordance with the School’s Prevent and safeguarding frameworks. This ensures that free expression is protected, within a safe and legally compliant environment.

Clearly delineating who is covered by the policy and the expected conduct is vital for establishing a shared understanding of the principles underpinning the institution's commitment. By promoting a culture of respect and dialogue, all members of the university community can engage in meaningful discussions while ensuring harmful expressions are appropriately addressed.

The School acknowledges its legal obligation to take all reasonably practicable steps to secure freedom of speech within the law. To fulfil this, the School applies the following three-step framework when assessing any measure or decision that might affect speech or expression, including when it comes to events:

  • Step 1: Is the speech lawful (‘within the law’)?
  • Step 2: Are there reasonably practicable steps to secure the lawful speech?
  • Step 3: If not, are any restrictions prescribed by law and proportionate under human rights law?

Where lawful speech is affected, the School will actively seek to enable it unless doing so is impractical due to safety, legal, or operational considerations. Any decision to restrict lawful speech will be taken only after careful consideration of all alternatives in line with this framework.

Any alleged breach of academic freedom or restriction of lawful speech will be reported to the Executive Committee and Quality, Compliance and Audit Committee for oversight and inclusion in the School’s annual Prevent and Free Speech assurance reports.

This outlines the School’s proactive legal responsibility to enable lawful free speech wherever reasonably possible, ensuring that any restrictions are justified and carefully considered.

The School affirms that decisions affecting speech, including the approval of events, speakers, or academic content, will be made without discrimination based on the viewpoint expressed. The unpopularity, offensiveness, or controversy of an opinion shall not justify restricting lawful expression.

This emphasises the School’s commitment to making decisions about speech without bias towards any particular opinion or viewpoint, protecting lawful expression regardless of popularity or controversy.

Academic Freedom

This policy safeguards and advances academic freedom, enabling scholars to pursue knowledge without interference and challenge established beliefs. Academic staff and students are encouraged to propose new ideas and express controversial views, provided their actions do not violate English legal limits or institutional regulations. Understanding definitions such as 'hate speech' and 'censorship' is critical to recognising the boundaries within which academic freedom operates.

These principles are essential for fostering a culture that values academic freedom while maintaining the integrity of intellectual debate. By clearly defining individual rights and responsibilities, as well as the limits of free speech, the institution encourages respectful and constructive engagement. This commitment ensures that scholars can pursue research and teaching without fear, cultivating a dynamic academic environment where diverse perspectives can flourish.

Academic staff shall not be subjected to any detriment, including dismissal, denial of promotion, or other adverse treatment, based on their lawful expression of ideas, including controversial or unpopular opinions, within the scope of academic freedom. The School commits to upholding these protections as fundamental to fostering an environment of rigorous and independent academic inquiry. 

This subsection affirms the School’s duty to safeguard academic staff from any detriment arising from their lawful exercise of academic freedom, fostering a safe environment for intellectual risk-taking.

The School recognises that academic freedom does not extend to unlawful speech, including harassment as defined by the Equality Act 2010. However, exposure to ideas that some may find offensive, uncomfortable, or challenging does not, in itself, constitute harassment and shall not be restricted.

This subsection clarifies the boundary between protected lawful speech and unlawful harassment, ensuring that controversial but lawful ideas are not unjustly censored.

Promoting Free Speech and Supporting Wellbeing

This policy recognises that free speech is fundamental to the academic environment. However, freedom of expression can sometimes be offensive or disturbing. To balance the rights and freedoms of individuals, the School will support civil debate through its academic and events processes by implementing measures that encourage respectful and constructive discourse within the academic community. The School is committed to preparing students with the skills necessary to critically analyse and engage with challenging ideas, equipping them for future challenges.

These principles are vital for cultivating an atmosphere where free speech is respected while maintaining a supportive academic community. By clearly defining expectations surrounding free speech and the importance of civil discourse, the School encourages individuals to express diverse viewpoints responsibly. This approach not only upholds the right to free expression but also fosters a culture of respect and understanding, ensuring all community members feel safe and valued while engaging in meaningful dialogue.

Where it becomes necessary to impose restrictions on speech or protest — including within classrooms or through the events approval process — such restrictions will be proportionate, narrowly applied, and focused on the time, place, or manner of expression rather than its content or viewpoint. Relevant staff, including academic and events personnel, will receive training to ensure consistent and lawful application of these principles. The School remains committed to ensuring that any such measures do not unlawfully restrict lawful freedom of speech.

This subsection sets out how the School will impose any necessary speech restrictions in a proportionate and neutral manner, focusing on logistical considerations rather than content or viewpoint.

The School maintains a clear distinction between protecting lawful free speech and addressing unlawful conduct, such as incitement to hatred, violence, or harassment. Support for civil debate includes tolerating lawful, even if controversial, speech while taking appropriate action against unlawful behaviour.

This subsection highlights the School’s approach to tolerating lawful but potentially offensive speech while taking appropriate action against unlawful behaviour such as incitement or harassment.

Annual Review of Speech and Freedom

Each academic year, the Executive Committee will implement an annual plan to uphold and promote the principles of lawful freedom of speech, academic freedom, and civil debate, as set out in this Policy. The plan will include defined objectives, actions, and performance indicators aimed at fostering respectful, evidence-based dialogue across the School community.

Resources will be allocated to support activities such as workshops, staff development, and student engagement initiatives that encourage critical thinking and open discussion of diverse or challenging ideas. Training on freedom of speech, academic freedom, and related safeguarding responsibilities will be provided to both staff and students as part of the School’s Prevent Training Framework and ongoing professional development.

Operational procedures will ensure that freedom of speech is balanced with safeguarding, equality, and well-being responsibilities, so that debate remains open but safe. The School will maintain transparent processes for raising and resolving concerns about free speech or academic freedom, including both informal dialogue and formal review routes.

An annual review of free speech and academic freedom will be undertaken by the Executive Committee and reported to the Academic Board, QCA Committee, and Board of Governors. This review will assess the effectiveness of implementation, including whether any events or teaching activities triggered safeguarding or Prevent Duty procedures, and whether such risks were managed proportionately and in accordance with School policy.

These steps are crucial for creating a structured approach to uphold free speech and civil debate. By integrating specific objectives and allocating resources, the Executive Committee reinforces respectful discourse and well-being, fostering a community where all members feel supported in meaningful discussions. The commitment to education enhances understanding and respect among staff and students. Regular reviews ensure policies remain effective and relevant, reinforcing the institution's dedication to these values.

The School operates a dedicated External Speakers and Events Policy, which sets out the procedural requirements for approving, managing, and monitoring events. This training ensures that staff and students can apply that Policy effectively, balancing the School’s commitments to freedom of speech, academic freedom, safeguarding, and Prevent compliance in a proportionate and lawful manner.

Training is mandatory for staff responsible for student events, communications, and public engagement, and recommended for all student organisers. It is supported by the Director of Student Services and Designated Prevent and Safeguarding Leads.

Purpose and Scope

This training supports consistent and informed decision-making for all events—whether held on campus, online, or through external or collaborative partnerships—where the School is directly affiliated, branded, or funds the activity.

Learning Objectives

Participants are trained to:

  • Assess event risks, including those relating to external speakers, content sensitivity, public access, reputational exposure, and Prevent or safeguarding considerations, whilst balancing free speech and academic freedom.
  • Apply the External Speakers and Events Policy through practical guidance on completing Event Request Forms via the AGS, risk checklists, and adhering to notice periods (normally ten working days for higher-risk events).
  • Understand approval roles and escalation routes, including referral to the Designated Leads, or Director of Student Services where appropriate.
  • Escalate concerns appropriately, ensuring that potential Prevent or safeguarding issues are referred promptly through the Prevent Support Ticket system or directly to the Prevent Lead.
  • Balance safeguarding with freedom of speech, ensuring that restrictions are proportionate, evidence-based, and never imposed solely on the basis of viewpoint or ideology.
  • Manage and moderate digital and asynchronous risks, including online moderation, access control, and recording of events conducted via approved platforms.

Assurance and Review

The Director of Student Services and Designated Leads oversee the content and delivery of this training, ensuring it reflects current legal requirements, sector guidance, internal risk assessment outcomes, freedom of speech, and academic freedom. Completion rates are recorded in the Prevent Evidence Register on the Automated Governance System (AGS) and reviewed semesterly by the Executive Committee as part of the School’s Assurance Cycles.

The training content is reviewed annually and updated in consultation with the Academic Board, reflecting developments in law, technology, and institutional delivery models.

This training exists to ensure that external speakers and events are managed lawfully and consistently, balancing freedom of expression with safeguarding, in line with the School’s Prevent Duty obligations.

The School will ensure that any disputes relating to free speech or academic freedom are resolved through clear, transparent, and timely procedures. Both informal and formal mechanisms will uphold the principles of fairness, respect for due process, and protection of lawful expression.

This subsection ensures that all free speech and academic freedom disputes are managed with fairness, clarity, and respect for lawful expression, supporting confidence in institutional processes.

The School will regularly review its policies and procedures in light of evolving legal guidance, sector best practice, and feedback from the academic community to ensure ongoing compliance with the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, the Equality Act 2010, and Prevent Duty obligations.

This demonstrates the School’s commitment to regularly reviewing and updating policies to maintain legal compliance and respond effectively to evolving challenges in free speech.

Oversight of freedom of speech and academic freedom matters is the responsibility of the Executive Committee, which regularly reviews policy implementation and compliance. The Committee:

  • Monitors free speech-related incidents and responses.
  • Ensures training and guidance are effectively delivered to staff and students.
  • Receives reports on external speakers and event approvals.
  • Provides clear escalation routes for concerns related to free speech or academic freedom.

This governance structure supports transparency, accountability, and consistent application of the School’s commitment to lawful free expression.

A summary of activity, decisions, and any restrictions on lawful speech is reported regularly to the Quality, Compliance and Audit Committee, Academic Board, and the Board of Governors

This establishes formal governance oversight of free speech and Prevent activity, ensuring transparency, proportionality, and senior accountability.

The following metrics will be measured and regularly reviewed as key performance indicators for the School to ensure the effectiveness of this policy and associated operations.

Metrics and KPIs

Academic Freedom Review

Academic Freedom Review

Conduct an annual review of academic freedom cases to identify trends and areas for improvement.
Helps to monitor the practical application of academic freedom and address any emerging issues.

Civic Engagement Initiatives

Civic Engagement Initiatives

Track the number of initiatives aimed at promoting civil debate, aiming for at least 5 new initiatives per year.
Supports the development of a respectful and open academic environment.

Diversity of Guest Speakers

Diversity of Guest Speakers

Monitor the diversity of guest speakers invited to discuss free speech and academic freedom, aiming for at least 50% from underrepresented groups.
Ensures a broad range of perspectives and promotes inclusivity in discussions.

Feedback on Policy

Feedback on Policy

Collect annual feedback from staff and students on their experiences aiming for a 75% response rate.
Provides valuable input on the practical challenges and successes of the policy in practice.

Incident Resolution Time

Incident Resolution Time

Measure the average time taken to resolve incidents related to free speech or academic freedom.
Provides insight into the efficiency of the institution’s response to policy breaches and disputes.