Earlier this year, we worked with GuildHE and Universities UK to bring the sector together to explore tensions around protecting and upholding freedom of speech and fostering good relations between different groups. A series of roundtables were held including a range of different voices and perspectives to encourage debate and discussions to identify ways in which these tensions can be overcome, enhancing the sector’s determination and efforts to ensure freedom of speech is protected.
This led to a statement of commitment from the sector promoting and protecting academic freedom and free speech, which we have co-signed with Universities UK, Committee of University Chairs (CUC), GuildHE and NUS Charity. We will further support our members to strengthen this commitment through work to explore how to promote Freedom of Speech and EDI together.
