OfS student debrief: Freedom of speech

All staff and students are entitled to teach, learn and research in a culture that values vigorous debate, including – or perhaps particularly – around difficult or contentious topics.

At this debrief, Arif Ahmed, our Director for Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom, explains why students need to be clear on what they can expect from their university or college, when they can exercise their right to free speech, and when it can be restricted.

The law gives free speech in universities and colleges very strong protection, with new legal and regulatory requirements recently coming into force. As the regulator for higher education in England, one of our strategic goals is that ‘providers secure free speech within the law for students, staff and visiting speakers’.

We look at:

• Why might students feel unwilling or unable to speak or write about controversial topics?
• Why are students self-censoring? What is the extent of the problem?
• Are minority student groups adversely affected by any restrictions?
• What works to promote and prevent open discussion in both the classroom and more widely on campus?

This debrief is for:

• all students at all levels of higher education
• all student representatives
• NUS representatives
• students' union staff.