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Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
UK regulator tells Universities: Defend free speech, even if it's uncomfortable
British universities are facing a reckoning over the boundaries of speech and academic freedom. In newly issued guidance, the Office for Students, the UK's higher education regulator, has warned institutions that shielding students from legal but controversial ideas poses a threat to core academic principles. The message is unambiguous: Students must not only be allowed to speak freely, but also be prepared to confront opinions that may challenge, disturb, or even offend them. 'This includes things that they may find uncomfortable or shocking,' said Arif Ahmed, director for freedom of speech at the Office for Students. 'By being exposed to a diversity of academic thought, students will develop their analytical and critical thinking skills. ' A nation at a crossroads The guidance, released Thursday, arrives at a time when concerns are mounting that the UK's higher education system has leaned too far into ideological gatekeeping. Multiple groups, including gender-critical academics and pro-Israel organizations, have accused universities of suppressing lawful expression in deference to student protest. The backlash has grown particularly intense in recent years. In 2021, Professor Kathleen Stock resigned from the University of Sussex following an aggressive campaign by student activists who condemned her views on biological sex. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like We cannot lose another baby to the same disease, help us! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Stock, who argued that sex is binary and immutable, faced calls for dismissal from groups identifying as queer, trans, and nonbinary. In a rare move earlier this year, the Office for Students fined the university £585,000 for failing to protect freedom of speech. Legislation meets the lecture hall The new guidance aims to operationalize the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, passed under the previous government, to reinforce legal protections for speech on UK campuses. The Office for Students emphasized that while universities must uphold lawful expression, they are not required to tolerate unlawful speech, including content that violates public order, equality, or counter-terrorism laws. In practical terms, universities retain the right to control when, where, and how speech takes place, so long as they do not suppress its substance. This clause aims to balance expression with academic function, ensuring that debates don't disrupt teaching or research. No easy balance Still, the path forward is anything but straightforward. Legal experts caution that the implementation of these rights will remain fraught with complexity. Julian Sladdin, a partner at law firm Pinsent Masons, told The Guardian that challenges will persist. 'The difficulty which remains in practical terms is the fact that institutions are still subject to dealing day-to-day with extremely complex and often polarizing issues on campus and where the bounds of what may be lawful free speech are constantly being tested,' he was quoted as saying. This regulatory shift may be a necessary correction, but it is unlikely to end the battle between academic liberty and the emotional sensitivities of modern campus life. Beyond tolerance What emerges from this moment is a broader philosophical demand: that universities return to their core mission of cultivating rigorous, uncomfortable inquiry. In a climate where speech can be mistaken for violence and dissent for harm, the regulator's message is firm: Intellectual growth is not always safe, and it was never meant to be. British campuses are now tasked with navigating that reality, not retreating from it. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
English university students must face ‘shocking' ideas in a drive to protect free speech on campus
LONDON — Students at English universities must prepare to confront ideas they find uncomfortable and shocking, the national regulator for higher education said as it released new guidelines governing free speech on campuses across the country. The Office for Students said Thursday that freedom of speech and academic freedom are crucial to higher education, so the guidelines are designed to ensure that universities don't stifle any form of legal speech on their campuses or in their classrooms. Students must be allowed to freely share their opinions and be prepared to hear a range of views during their studies, Arif Ahmed, free speech director for the regulator, said in a statement. 'This includes things that they may find uncomfortable or shocking,' he said. 'By being exposed to a diversity of academic thought, students will develop their analytical and critical thinking skills.' The guidance comes as concern grows that British universities had gone too far in silencing professors and students who expressed ideas some people found offensive. In particular, gender-critical academics and pro-Israeli groups say they have been targeted by university officials and students who disagree with their ideas. In 2021, professor Kathleen Stock resigned from her position at the University of Sussex after a group of students who identified as queer, trans and nonbinary demanded that she be fired for expressing the belief that there are two immutable sexes, male and female. Earlier this year, the Office for Students fined the university 585,000 pounds ($785,000) for failing to uphold freedom of speech. The guidance released on Thursday is designed to implement legislation protecting freedom of speech on university campuses that was passed by the previous government in 2023. The regulator stressed that unlawful speech, including speech that violates anti-terror, equality or public order laws, is not protected by the legislation. Universities also have the right to regulate time, place and manner of lawful speech so that that it doesn't interfere with research, teaching and learning. While the guidance is a good first step, universities will still have a difficult time balancing all the interests on their campuses, Julian Sladdin, a partner at the law firm Pinsent Masons, told the Guardian newspaper. 'The difficulty which remains in practical terms is the fact that institutions are still subject to dealing day-to-day with extremely complex and often polarizing issues on campus and where the bounds of what may be lawful free speech are constantly being tested,' he was quoted as saying. Kirka writes for the Associated Press.
a day ago
- Politics
English university students must face 'shocking' ideas in a drive to protect free speech on campus
LONDON -- Students at English universities must prepare to confront ideas they find uncomfortable and shocking, the national regulator for higher education said as it released new guidelines governing free speech on campuses across the country. The Office for Students said Thursday that freedom of speech and academic freedom are crucial to higher education, so the guidelines are designed to ensure that universities don't stifle any form of legal speech on their campuses or in their classrooms. Students must be allowed to freely share their opinions and be prepared to hear a range of views during their studies, Arif Ahmed, free speech director for the regulator, said in a statement. 'This includes things that they may find uncomfortable or shocking,' he said. 'By being exposed to a diversity of academic thought, students will develop their analytical and critical thinking skills.' The guidance comes as concern grows that British universities had gone too far in silencing professors and students who expressed ideas some people found offensive. In particular, gender-critical academics and pro-Israeli groups say they have been targeted by university officials and students who disagree with their ideas. In 2021, professor Kathleen Stock resigned from her position at the University of Sussex after a group of students who identified as queer, trans and nonbinary demanded that she be fired for expressing the belief that there are two immutable sexes, male and female. Earlier this year, the Office for Students fined the university 585,000 pounds ($785,000) for failing to uphold freedom of speech. The guidance released on Thursday is designed to implement legislation protecting freedom of speech on university campuses that was passed by the previous government in 2023. The regulator stressed that unlawful speech, including speech that violates anti-terror, equality or public order laws, is not protected by the legislation. Universities also have the right to regulate time, place and manner of lawful speech so that that it doesn't interfere with research, teaching and learning. While the guidance is a good first step, universities will still have a difficult time balancing all the interests on their campuses, Julian Sladdin, a partner at the law firm Pinsent Masons, told the Guardian newspaper. 'The difficulty which remains in practical terms is the fact that institutions are still subject to dealing day-to-day with extremely complex and often polarizing issues on campus and where the bounds of what may be lawful free speech are constantly being tested,' he was quoted as saying.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
English university students must face ‘shocking' ideas in a drive to protect free speech on campus
LONDON (AP) — Students at English universities must prepare to confront ideas they find uncomfortable and shocking, the national regulator for higher education said as it released new guidelines governing free speech on campuses across the country. The Office for Students said Thursday that freedom of speech and academic freedom are crucial to higher education, so the guidelines are designed to ensure that universities don't stifle any form of legal speech on their campuses or in their classrooms. Students must be allowed to freely share their opinions and be prepared to hear a range of views during their studies, Arif Ahmed, free speech director for the regulator, said in a statement. 'This includes things that they may find uncomfortable or shocking,' he said. 'By being exposed to a diversity of academic thought, students will develop their analytical and critical thinking skills.' The guidance comes as concern grows that British universities had gone too far in silencing professors and students who expressed ideas some people found offensive. In particular, gender-critical academics and pro-Israeli groups say they have been targeted by university officials and students who disagree with their ideas. In 2021, professor Kathleen Stock resigned from her position at the University of Sussex after a group of students who identified as queer, trans and nonbinary demanded that she be fired for expressing the belief that there are two immutable sexes, male and female. Earlier this year, the Office for Students fined the university 585,000 pounds ($785,000) for failing to uphold freedom of speech. The guidance released on Thursday is designed to implement legislation protecting freedom of speech on university campuses that was passed by the previous government in 2023. The regulator stressed that unlawful speech, including speech that violates anti-terror, equality or public order laws, is not protected by the legislation. Universities also have the right to regulate time, place and manner of lawful speech so that that it doesn't interfere with research, teaching and learning. While the guidance is a good first step, universities will still have a difficult time balancing all the interests on their campuses, Julian Sladdin, a partner at the law firm Pinsent Masons, told the Guardian newspaper. 'The difficulty which remains in practical terms is the fact that institutions are still subject to dealing day-to-day with extremely complex and often polarizing issues on campus and where the bounds of what may be lawful free speech are constantly being tested,' he was quoted as saying. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
English university students must face ‘shocking' ideas in a drive to protect free speech on campus
LONDON (AP) — Students at English universities must prepare to confront ideas they find uncomfortable and shocking, the national regulator for higher education said as it released new guidelines governing free speech on campuses across the country. The Office for Students said Thursday that freedom of speech and academic freedom are crucial to higher education, so the guidelines are designed to ensure that universities don't stifle any form of legal speech on their campuses or in their classrooms. Students must be allowed to freely share their opinions and be prepared to hear a range of views during their studies, Arif Ahmed, free speech director for the regulator, said in a statement. 'This includes things that they may find uncomfortable or shocking,' he said. 'By being exposed to a diversity of academic thought, students will develop their analytical and critical thinking skills.' The guidance comes as concern grows that British universities had gone too far in silencing professors and students who expressed ideas some people found offensive. In particular, gender-critical academics and pro-Israeli groups say they have been targeted by university officials and students who disagree with their ideas. In 2021, professor Kathleen Stock resigned from her position at the University of Sussex after a group of students who identified as queer, trans and nonbinary demanded that she be fired for expressing the belief that there are two immutable sexes, male and female. Earlier this year, the Office for Students fined the university 585,000 pounds ($785,000) for failing to uphold freedom of speech. The guidance released on Thursday is designed to implement legislation protecting freedom of speech on university campuses that was passed by the previous government in 2023. The regulator stressed that unlawful speech, including speech that violates anti-terror, equality or public order laws, is not protected by the legislation. Universities also have the right to regulate time, place and manner of lawful speech so that that it doesn't interfere with research, teaching and learning. While the guidance is a good first step, universities will still have a difficult time balancing all the interests on their campuses, Julian Sladdin, a partner at the law firm Pinsent Masons, told the Guardian newspaper. 'The difficulty which remains in practical terms is the fact that institutions are still subject to dealing day-to-day with extremely complex and often polarizing issues on campus and where the bounds of what may be lawful free speech are constantly being tested,' he was quoted as saying.
