UPDATED: Freedom of Speech Information Sessions (Online)
University staff are invited to an online information session on freedom of speech and academic freedom.
As Parliament has recently passed the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill, which updates the duties of universities with respect to the protection of freedom of speech and academic freedom, the University has been considering the implications of the Bill and has drawn up a draft Code of Practice.
The online information sessions will be an opportunity for Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Andrew Hunter, to introduce the draft Code of Practice to colleagues, together with the wider implications for the University, and to open a consultation on the draft. There will also be a chance to contribute to the consultation online.
The draft Code of Practice is now available to view online via the Staff News blog site and colleagues are invited to provide feedback on the draft by close of business on Monday 31 July using the online feedback form (form opens in Microsoft Forms).
The online-only information sessions will take place as a Microsoft Teams virtual events, where there will be opportunities to ask questions in a real-time online Q&A. Colleagues can access the event via the Microsoft Teams links listed below:
Freedom of Speech Information Session (online) – Wednesday 19th July, 2pm-3pm (PLEASE NOTE NEW TIME: THIS EVENT WILL BE 2PM-3PM, NOT 9AM-10AM AS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED).
Freedom of Speech Information Session (online) – Tuesday 25th July, 9am-10am