UCL free speech researcher warns government-imposed penalties would be the wrong way to protect campuses
A government promise to provide greater protection of free speech on university campuses is being met with increasing scepticism, as one expert warns that imposing tougher penalties on those who attempt to ban controversial speakers or ideas could spark a “culture war” within higher education.
The Conservative Party pledged in its election manifesto to “strengthen academic freedom and free speech in universities and continue to focus on raising standards”.
The sentiment was later repeated in the government’s briefing documents published alongside the Queen’s Speech, prompting suggestions that new legislation could be in the works to impose a crackdown on the so-called “no-platforming”—or imposed ban—of controversial ideas and speakers invited to universities.
Following December’s general election, researchers from the think tank Policy Exchange urged the Tory government to act promptly on its free speech promises and introduce an Academic Freedom and Free Speech on Campus Bill.
The right-leaning organisation previously came under fire after publishing a series of recommendations regarding free speech for universities, including a suggestion that universities should appoint academic freedom champions with the powers to “investigate complaints of political discrimination”.
They added that the Office for Students regulator body should appoint an academic freedom champion at a national level, and that universities’ statutory obligations to protect freedom of speech should be extended to cover all staff and students.
The government is yet to release any further details on how it intends to action the manifesto and the Queen’s Speech pledge.
Speaking to Research Professional News, Jeffrey Howard, an associate professor in political theory at UCL, said he “would not be surprised” if a new government policy were to draw upon the recommendations made by Policy Exchange, however.
“My own view is that it is clearly important to continue to advocate for both academic freedom…and free speech on campus,” he said, including the ability for campuses to host “a wide variety of debates and disagreements with those from across the political spectrum”.
“Yet while these complementary ideals are always under threat from various pressures, it is important not to overstate the problem,” he warned. “A new regime of penalties or potential torts seems to me to be unnecessary at best, and at worst it would be a cynical play in a supposed culture war against an allegedly intolerant left—a way to grab headlines rather than achieve positive change.”
Complaints of left-wing bias and allegations of the perpetuation of extremist views have plagued universities in recent years. For example, a survey of more than 500 undergraduates by Policy Exchange last year found that only 39 per cent of students who were in favour of leaving the European Union would feel comfortable expressing their views in the classroom.
Research by King’s College London last year found “only a minority” of UK students had come across incidents where freedom of expression had been under threat.
"Contrary to much commentary on the topic, our research shows that students are indeed advocates of freedom of expression and have similar views on the topic as the general public," said Jonathan Grant, professor of public policy at King’s College London and co-author of the study. "Given that, I don’t think there is a case for any new regulation," he told RPN.
However, Grant said he was “worried” about “self-censorship (or a ‘chilling effect’ as it is known) where some students do not feel they are free to express their own views at their university”.
“This should be of great concern to university and student bodies alike, but is something that is unlikely to be fixed by regulation or penalties,” he added. “Rediscovering how to debate and disagree – and disagree well – should be a core ambition for university communities 2020.”
A department for education spokesperson said there were as yet “no further updates” to report on the free speech pledge.
“Our universities must be places where free speech can thrive and academic freedom be protected,” they said. “We have committed to strengthening free speech and academic freedoms within universities and will consider the recommendations made within the [Policy Exchange] report in due course.”