Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom Policy

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.

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.

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 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.

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. 

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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