The Council of the University has approved the following Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom to discharge its obligation under the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech Act) 2023.
This Code of Practice sets out the University’s position and approach to what it considers are generally reasonable and practicable steps for it to take in order to secure freedom of speech and academic freedom in respect of activities which are likely to arise in the context of a university environment and provided those activities are themselves lawful.
There may be circumstances which arise which are not foreseen by this Code or where it is a difficult for Staff to assess and judge for themselves whether freedom of speech or academic freedom is engaged or to appreciate in what circumstances the University may need to act to secure these rights or limit them in its setting.
This Code therefore explains when and how assistance must be sought and from whom.