University of Cambridge professor Arif Ahmed has been appointed England’s first director for freedom of speech and academic freedom at the Office for Students (OfS).
Professor Ahmed will take responsibility for implementing the country’s new legislation, which requires universities and students’ unions to protect and promote free speech on campuses.
The OfS has been handed a series of additional powers to ensure that universities comply with the new law. It is also expected to soon publish guidance that will shape the future responsibilities of universities in this area.
Professor Ahmed was one of the key campaigners who helped to overturn Cambridge’s own free speech policy in May 2021; the policy would have required staff and students to be “respectful” of each other’s “differing opinions”.
