The interplay between protected beliefs and freedom of speech is at the heart of Higher Education in the UK, a cornerstone of discourse and central to delivering an inclusive experience for students and staff. These fundamental principles can intersect in complex and contentious ways. Securing free speech and academic freedom on topics such as trans inclusion and gender critical feminism, or in relation to Israel/Gaza, whilst also preventing harassment, can pose a challenge for institutions.
Advance HE has produced guidance to support Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in understanding protected beliefs and seemingly competing legal duties related to protected beliefs, rights of free speech and academic freedom within the law, protections against unlawful discrimination, and harassment, within the present UK legal framework.
This online event is an opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue, debate and reflection designed to strengthen understanding of the complexities of this terrain and build capacity to navigate the intersections of protected beliefs and freedom of speech. Participants will consider the key points from Advance HE’s Guidance on Protected Beliefs, hear from legal experts, and explore practical ways to navigate tensions between freedom or speech, academic freedom and protected beliefs through a range of realistic, challenging scenarios.
Who should attend?
This event is likely to be of interest to anyone who is managing or involved in issues relating to freedom of speech and protected beliefs in the learning and teaching environment, in student support services, in human resources/employment and to those with responsibility for shaping institutional EDI strategy and practice.
Agenda
10.30 Welcome and Introduction
10:35 Introduction to AHE Guidance on Protected Beliefs:
· Definition and Scope of Protected Beliefs
· Rights of Individuals to Hold and Express Their Beliefs
· Responsibilities of Higher Education Institutions in Upholding Diversity and Inclusion
· Learning from significant cases
· Decision making
11.00 Q&A on the guidance
11.15 Interactive Scenario Workshop Sessions round 1
12.15 Lunch break
13.00 Interactive Scenario Workshop Sessions round 2
13.45 Legal Perspective: The UK's Legal Framework for Free Speech and Protected Beliefs in Higher Education:
· Questions to be answered (the grey areas)
14:15 Discussion and Q&A with panel of experts
An opportunity to discuss the previous exercise and to hear from our panel of experts on their responses to the scenarios
15.15 Next steps
15.45 Closing Remarks
By 16.00 Close