The Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression Working Group seeks to foster a dynamic and diverse academic environment, in which the frank and free exchange of views, based on mutual respect, is a hallmark of our University. Image The Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression Working Group was established in 2023 to consider how we can best support these principles across our staff and student community. The vision of this work is one of strengthening the productive difference and disagreement which has contributed to the University of Edinburgh being at the vanguard of knowledge for over four centuries. By bringing together colleagues from across our community, the Working Group aims to strengthen academic freedom and freedom of expression, building relationships and demonstrating through its ways of working that a challenging environment need not be a hostile one. The Working Group does not engage in decisions relating to specific events or debates on campus, nor in managing concerns or complaints regarding these. Instead, the Working Group aims are: For a broad cross-section of the university community to re-affirm academic freedom and freedom of expression as a key democratic value and privilege of all academics.To help our students develop the knowledge and skills to exercise leadership and participation in society’s contested spaces. To ensure a legislatively up-to-date, transparent and supportive set of policies and procedures that facilitate academic freedom and freedom of expression while fostering a respectful and inclusive environment. These aims, agreed by the University Executive, will evolve as the Working Group continues to engage and understand the perspectives of our diverse university community. 2025 Working Group Plan The Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression Group has set out eight planned outcomes for 2025. The outcomes will be achieved through a series of priority activities.2025 Working Group PrioritiesWorking Group Plan (PDF) Working Group structure and membershipThe Working Group was refreshed in 2024 to include a focus on newly identified priorities, with the membership of the group expanded to build capacity to deliver this refreshed remit. Following an open call for participation across the University community, we now have around 50 group members from across the University Community. Working Group MembershipMembers sit across four dedicated Workstreams and two Task and Finish Groups, with a Co-ordinating Group overseeing the overall programme of work. Below you can find out more about the focus of each Workstream and Task and Finish Group, including the scope and remit that Working Group members have collectively refined. Workstreams Legislation and Policy Workstream What does the University need to do to ensure it meets its legislative requirements in respect of freedom of expression and academic freedom? Legislation and Policy Work stream Terms of Reference EDI Workstream How can our university community celebrate its diversity, including intellectual, affirming the democratic principles of academic freedom and freedom of expression, while fostering a respectful and inclusive environment?EDI Work stream Terms of Reference Challenges Workstream 1. How can the university proactively identify and advise and seek to address contemporary and future challenges to academic freedom and freedom of expression? 2. How can the university ensure it has the ability to horizon scan for future challenges to academic freedom & freedom of expression? Document Academic Freedom Challenges Workstream Terms of Reference (130.28 KB / PDF) Curriculum and Education Workstream Curriculum and Education Workstream: How can we support our educators and students to become knowledgeable and skilled, and understand their rights and responsibilities, to participate as citizens in society’s contested spaces? Document AF & FoE Curriculum and Education Workstream Terms of Reference (131.74 KB / PDF) Task and Finish Groups Institutional Support Task & Finish Group How can the University effectively and consistently support and protect colleagues who encounter unwanted publicity, who are attacked, or who experience distress, due to their exercising of academic freedom and freedom of expression or due to somebody else’s exercising of these rights? Document Academic Freedom Institutional Support Terms of Reference (128.23 KB / PDF) Research Task & Finish Group What does our large and diverse university community understand about academic freedom and freedom of expression? How does our university community experience academic freedom and freedom of expression? Document Research Workstream Terms of Reference (122.29 KB / PDF) Join the Group as an Expert Contributor Support from the wider university community is vital for this work. We would like to expand our list of expert contributors. If you have knowledge or experience that will help the group and are willing to provide it on an ad hoc basis, please complete our form and provide us with your details.Expression of Interest form Stay up to dateYou can stay up to date with the latest news and updates from the Working Group by visiting our blog, or visit our annual progress updates to find out more about how this work is developing.Working Group blogProgress in 2024Progress in 2023 Academic Freedom & Freedom of Expression Working Group Contact details Email: acfreedom.workinggroup@ed.ac.uk This article was published on 2024-05-30
