Working Group priorities: 2025

We will be able to recognise where the next challenge(s) to academic freedom and freedom of expression might come from and have structures and processes that we can use to horizon scan for future challenges.

The Challenges Workstream will:

• Undertake research and create a typology of likely challenges (a document that would be periodically updated, discussed, and from which action could be derived).
• Identify a structure and process for updating the typology (that structure, or body, would also be responsible for on-going horizon scanning).

We will understand what academic freedom and freedom of expression are, in the pursuit of a strengthened academic culture that encourages open dialogue and the respectful exchange of ideas and diverse perspectives.

The Curriculum and Education Workstream will:

• Develop academic freedom and freedom of expression principles to underpin communications and to promote understanding.
• Share and embed these principles across the Uuniversity through, for example, the creation of a video for existing students which outlines the University’s expectations around academic freedom and freedom of expression. An appropriately contextualised video for staff will also be planned in support of the outcome.
• Review of education governance structures, such as new course and programme approvals’ processes and Board of Studies, will be considered with a view to embedding the principles of academic freedom and freedom of expression.
• Work with EUSA to scope an outline proposal for a Student Toolkit about academic freedom and freedom of expression.

We will support our diverse University community to better navigate difference and conflict through exploring approaches to dialogue, debate, and disagreement, while fostering a respectful and inclusive environment.

The Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Workstream will:

• Explore, plan and deliver events or workshops which exemplify and model dialogue, debate, and disagreement.
• Consider a mix of new events and integration with existing planned events and activities across Schools and Professional Services areas. 

We will review the policies and processes around complaints through the lens of academic freedom and freedom of expression, seeking improvements in support of staff and students.

The Institutional Support Task and Finish Group will:

• Working under HR’s leadership, review relevant complaints policies, including investigation processes, from the perspective of Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression, considering also the perspective of those who have experienced these processes.
• Consider enhancements to the speed of investigation processes, any training needs, and the support of those involved.

We will increase the transparency and understanding around the policies, processes, responsibilities, and related guidance, concerning speakers and events.

We will ensure that new and updated policies take account of academic freedom and freedom of expression.

The Legislation and Policy Workstream will:

• From the perspective of Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression, review and propose enhancements to the policy on Speakers and Events (if needed) and related guidance, such as: room bookings for staff and students; and Protest Guidelines for Staff and Students; and Event Attendance Guidelines for Staff and Students.
• Lead the Working Group’s contribution to HR’s review of the Dignity and Respect Policy. 

We will have gained a better appreciation of our staff and students’ understanding and experience of academic freedom and freedom of expression, to inform work in this area.

The Research Task and Finish Group will:

• Undertake desk-based research to design a piece of mixed-methods empirical research to be undertaken across the University, drawing upon a representative sample of staff and students to research their understanding and experience of academic freedom and freedom of expression. This work will inform the Working Group’s subsequent activity. 

We will have gained an increased knowledge of the work being done around academic freedom and freedom of expression in the sector and be able to further situate our activity within this wider context.

The Research Task and Finish Group will:

• Consider other relevant research approaches within the sector.
• Commission an external research agency to undertake the research on behalf of the Working Group.