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The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Fifth of academics do not feel free to teach controversial topics, survey shows
One in five academics on both sides of the political spectrum do not feel free to teach controversial topics, a survey has found as England's higher education watchdog issued guidance on how institutions can protect freedom of speech. The Office for Students (OfS) gave examples of how universities and colleges should respond to scenarios surrounding freedom of speech in its guidance published on Thursday, including around protests, investigating staff and student complaints and ensuring speakers are not stopped from expressing their ideas or opinions. It comes as the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act, passed under the previous Conservative government in 2023, imposes a duty on institutions to secure and promote freedom of speech so long as it is lawful – a duty which comes into force in August. In its guidance, the OfS said: 'Higher education providers and constituent institutions should have a high tolerance for all kinds of lawful speech. 'There should be a very strong presumption in favour of permitting lawful speech.' The guidance stated: – Academic staff should not be constrained or pressured in their teaching to endorse or reject particular value judgements.– Policies that regulate protests and demonstrations should not restrict these activities because they express or support a particular viewpoint so long as it is legal.– Institutions should not encourage students or staff to report others over lawful expression of a particular point of view.– The starting point of investigating any complaint relating to speech should be that lawful speech will not be punished because of a viewpoint that it expresses.– Providers must take steps to secure freedom of speech for visiting speakers. A speaker who has been invited to speak should not be stopped from doing so on the grounds of their ideas or opinions. The OfS made clear that it 'will not protect Holocaust denial'. The guidance was published alongside a survey, conducted on behalf of the watchdog by YouGov, which revealed a fifth of academics (21%) feel 'not very free' or 'not at all free' to discuss challenging or controversial topics in their teaching, with almost a quarter (24%) of those citing fear of physical attack. The percentage of those who do not feel free to teach controversial topics rises to a third for academics from ethnic minority backgrounds while female academics are more likely than their male counterparts to say they do not feel free discussing such topics in their teaching, research, speaking engagements or on social media. The survey, undertaken by 1,234 respondents between March 15 and April 19 last year, also showed that the most common topic academics feel restricted in discussing is sex and gender, followed by race and racism. Twenty-eight per cent of participants said their university has become less tolerant of a range of viewpoints during their tenure. Just under half (46%) think their university would prioritise freedom of speech over not causing offence, while two-thirds (67%) believe their university would prioritise staff and/or students feeling safe over freedom of speech. Arif Ahmed, director for freedom of speech and academic freedom at the OfS, said: 'The core mission of universities and colleges is the pursuit of knowledge. Free speech and academic freedom are fundamental to this purpose. 'Students need to know that they can freely share lawful views and opinions, and be prepared to hear a range of views as part of their studies. This includes things that they may find uncomfortable or shocking. 'By being exposed to a diversity of academic thought, students will develop their analytical and critical thinking skills.' OfS chairman Professor Edward Peck, told MPs earlier this year that the watchdog's role in defending freedom of speech on campuses is 'absolutely crucial'. ' Universities, colleges and other providers should be places where ideas can be explored, examined, challenged, or disagreement can be facilitated. Where new viewpoints can be discovered,' he said. 'It's crucial – without that I don't think we'd have a university sector which would be the envy of the world as it is now. So that's my starting point.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fifth of academics do not feel free to teach controversial topics, survey shows
One in five academics on both sides of the political spectrum do not feel free to teach controversial topics, a survey has found as England's higher education watchdog issued guidance on how institutions can protect freedom of speech. The Office for Students (OfS) gave examples of how universities and colleges should respond to scenarios surrounding freedom of speech in its guidance published on Thursday, including around protests, investigating staff and student complaints and ensuring speakers are not stopped from expressing their ideas or opinions. It comes as the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act, passed under the previous Conservative government in 2023, imposes a duty on institutions to secure and promote freedom of speech so long as it is lawful – a duty which comes into force in August. In its guidance, the OfS said: 'Higher education providers and constituent institutions should have a high tolerance for all kinds of lawful speech. 'There should be a very strong presumption in favour of permitting lawful speech.' The guidance stated: – Academic staff should not be constrained or pressured in their teaching to endorse or reject particular value judgements.– Policies that regulate protests and demonstrations should not restrict these activities because they express or support a particular viewpoint so long as it is legal.– Institutions should not encourage students or staff to report others over lawful expression of a particular point of view.– The starting point of investigating any complaint relating to speech should be that lawful speech will not be punished because of a viewpoint that it expresses.– Providers must take steps to secure freedom of speech for visiting speakers. A speaker who has been invited to speak should not be stopped from doing so on the grounds of their ideas or opinions. The OfS made clear that it 'will not protect Holocaust denial'. The guidance was published alongside a survey, conducted on behalf of the watchdog by YouGov, which revealed a fifth of academics (21%) feel 'not very free' or 'not at all free' to discuss challenging or controversial topics in their teaching, with almost a quarter (24%) of those citing fear of physical attack. The percentage of those who do not feel free to teach controversial topics rises to a third for academics from ethnic minority backgrounds while female academics are more likely than their male counterparts to say they do not feel free discussing such topics in their teaching, research, speaking engagements or on social media. The survey, undertaken by 1,234 respondents between March 15 and April 19 last year, also showed that the most common topic academics feel restricted in discussing is sex and gender, followed by race and racism. Twenty-eight per cent of participants said their university has become less tolerant of a range of viewpoints during their tenure. Just under half (46%) think their university would prioritise freedom of speech over not causing offence, while two-thirds (67%) believe their university would prioritise staff and/or students feeling safe over freedom of speech. Arif Ahmed, director for freedom of speech and academic freedom at the OfS, said: 'The core mission of universities and colleges is the pursuit of knowledge. Free speech and academic freedom are fundamental to this purpose. 'Students need to know that they can freely share lawful views and opinions, and be prepared to hear a range of views as part of their studies. This includes things that they may find uncomfortable or shocking. 'By being exposed to a diversity of academic thought, students will develop their analytical and critical thinking skills.' OfS chairman Professor Edward Peck, told MPs earlier this year that the watchdog's role in defending freedom of speech on campuses is 'absolutely crucial'. 'Universities, colleges and other providers should be places where ideas can be explored, examined, challenged, or disagreement can be facilitated. Where new viewpoints can be discovered,' he said. 'It's crucial – without that I don't think we'd have a university sector which would be the envy of the world as it is now. So that's my starting point.'
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Britain's Housing Splurge Is Long Overdue
The £39 billion ($53 billion) boost that Britain's Labour government has announced for affordable housing still leaves its ambition of building 1.5 million homes over five years looking like a stretch. That shouldn't obscure the broader point that the country has underspent for decades on accommodation for its most disadvantaged. Any attempt to reverse this trend has the potential to pay for itself in wider economic benefits and even lead to a healthier private property market. The state's retreat from providing housing began with Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s and gained added impetus after 2010 with the Conservative-led government's efforts to cut expenditure and repair the public finances following the global financial crisis. Rather than building homes, the government aimed to steer financial support to low-income households to enable them to rent in the private market or from not-for-profit housing associations. The guiding philosophy was that a more market-based approach would encourage a more aspirational society; public housing, by contrast, kept people caught in dependency.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Road closures ahead for station to town link
Motorists have been warned about overnight closures of a main route through a town centre. Resurfacing work will take place between 19:00 and 06:00 BST between 16 June to 4 July on Elizabeth Street in Corby, Northamptonshire, North Northamptonshire Council said. It is part of a project designed to provide a safe and attractive route between the town centre and the railway station. Bus stops along Elizabeth Road will be temporarily suspended and a taxi rank will stop operating during the closures. The previous Conservative government provided the money for the new link which will cover Elizabeth Street, Oakley Road and Station Road. It was part of a £19.9m package of funding. An underpass on Oakley Road will be removed as part of the project. North Northamptonshire Council said it hoped the new route would mean "more people will be encouraged to travel on foot and cycle between the town centre and station, which not only improves people's health and well-being levels but has a positive impact on the environment". A full diversion will be in place during the closures, and residents will also be able to use George Street between 18:00 and 08:00 BST. Access for residents and businesses "will be maintained wherever possible" although "vehicle access may be restricted during the overnight closures", the council said. More information is available on the council's website. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Station parking price increase of up to 185% begins Corby's £19.9m Towns Fund award a 'big moment' Work on new cycle and footpath to start Corby Towns Fund North Northamptonshire Council
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Road closures ahead for station to town link
Motorists have been warned about overnight closures of a main route through a town centre. Resurfacing work will take place between 19:00 and 06:00 BST between 16 June to 4 July on Elizabeth Street in Corby, Northamptonshire, North Northamptonshire Council said. It is part of a project designed to provide a safe and attractive route between the town centre and the railway station. Bus stops along Elizabeth Road will be temporarily suspended and a taxi rank will stop operating during the closures. The previous Conservative government provided the money for the new link which will cover Elizabeth Street, Oakley Road and Station Road. It was part of a £19.9m package of funding. An underpass on Oakley Road will be removed as part of the project. North Northamptonshire Council said it hoped the new route would mean "more people will be encouraged to travel on foot and cycle between the town centre and station, which not only improves people's health and well-being levels but has a positive impact on the environment". A full diversion will be in place during the closures, and residents will also be able to use George Street between 18:00 and 08:00 BST. Access for residents and businesses "will be maintained wherever possible" although "vehicle access may be restricted during the overnight closures", the council said. More information is available on the council's website. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Station parking price increase of up to 185% begins Corby's £19.9m Towns Fund award a 'big moment' Work on new cycle and footpath to start Corby Towns Fund North Northamptonshire Council
