Working Group progress: 2024

• To better assert the importance of research;
• To broaden the understanding of academic freedom and freedom of expression within our community as positive and essentially democratic values;
• To address the intersection between academic freedom, freedom of expression, and equality, diversity and inclusion.

To support delivery of this refreshed remit, Professor David Smith became the Convenor of the revised Working Group. David is tasked with championing freedom of expression and academic freedom within the University, reporting on progress to the Provost, Professor Kim Graham, and University Executive.

Working Group refresh

The Group was restructured to build capacity and expertise to deliver its renewed remit. Four Workstreams and two ‘Task and Finish groups’ were formed to take forward the new priorities, replacing those Workstreams previous in existence, as agreed by the University Executive.

About the Working Group

The new structure was populated following an open call for participation from across our University community, offering staff the opportunity to either join the Working Group or offer expertise on a more ad hoc basis as an Expert Contributor.

To select new members in a transparent and equitable way, a selection process was designed and overseen by colleagues in our HR team. Following this process, the group was expanded to include around 50 members.

Working Group Membership

In May 2024, the Working Group Members met for the first time, before beginning their roles within their respective Workstream or Task & Finish Groups.

As the groups formed and Chairs for each group were appointed, the initial priority was to agree their Terms of Reference. Subsequently, through workshops, the different areas of activity were supported to identify and to prioritise outcomes and actions. This provided a clear roadmap for the different elements of the Working Group to begin to move forward to work in earnest.

From that initial work, a plan for the Working Group's 2025 priorities has been agreed and shared with University Executive. 

2025 Working Group Plan  

Stay up to date

Visit the Working Group blog to find regular updates on the progress of the Working Group and sign up to receive updates on this work direct to your inbox.

Working Group blog