The links below provide further guidance or readings to help explore this topic further. These resources include sector guidance, reports and relevant legislation. There is also a significant body of literature and opinion on the topics of academic freedom and freedom of expression, which may be considered by the Working Group and members of our University community. Higher education sector The Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005 section 26 (Academic Freedom) sets out the legal definition of academic freedom. Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005 section 26 (Academic Freedom) The Equalities and Human Rights Commission Scotland has also produced a Freedom of Expression Guide for the Higher Education sector. Freedom of Expression Guide The Russell Group has also published a statement which is intended to underline the determination of the UK's leading research-intensive universities to protect freedom of expression and academic freedom. Russell Group statement The ‘Report of the Committee on Freedom of Expression’ at Chicago University has been widely referenced in the current discussions in the higher education sector. University of Chicago ‘Report on the Committee of Freedom of Expression’ University of Chicago Free Expression website AdvanceHE Examples of relevant legislation Human Rights Act 1998 Defamation Act 2013 The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2021 The Online Safety Act 2023 This article was published on 2024-05-30
