Freedom of speech

Our commitment to freedom of speech

The University of Reading (“the University”) has a long and proud history of protecting and encouraging free speech and academic freedom within the law, in supporting colleagues and students to speak up on perceived controversial but important issues and welcoming external speakers with diverse political, social and philosophical positions.

The University encourages the pursuit of knowledge and truth as key components of achieving excellence in education and research and recognises the importance of, and promotes, plurality of viewpoints within its community, encouraging members of its community to express themselves freely and hold their own opinions even if their views are unpopular or could offend others.

The University enshrines academic freedom in its Charter of Incorporation, which states that: "Employees, in undertaking academic activity or directly supporting it, shall have freedom within the law to question and test received wisdom and to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions without placing themselves in jeopardy of losing their jobs or privileges".

The University encourages civil discourse between its members and expects tolerance of those with different views in accordance with the University’s Values for Working Together and Professional Behaviours and the Student Charter. It also recognises that freedom of speech and academic freedom must always operate within the law.

Freedom of Speech Code of Practice

The University operates a Freedom of Speech Code of Practice (“the Code”), which sets out the rights and obligations inherent within the principles of freedom of speech, the University of Reading’s values relating to freedom of speech and how those values uphold freedom of speech and academic freedom. The University will apply the Code in the spirit of upholding those principles wherever reasonably practicable within the law.

The provisions of the Code apply to:

staff
students
Council members
visiting speakers of the University
the Students’ Union
the University or Students’ Union’s societies, clubs, or associations that normally operate on University of Reading premises.

The Code sets out the University’s approach to securing freedom of speech linked to the use of its premises and through ordinary academic activities (such as teaching and research), and sets out its expectations in terms of the conduct and behaviour of members of staff, students, members of Council and visiting speakers.

More information on the Code of Practice

Events

The University of Reading has a long and rich history as an academic institution running and hosting a wide and varied programme of events involving both internal and visiting speakers.

The Freedom of Speech and Prevent Policy for Events is designed to ensure that all events (as defined in the Policy) delivered by or on the premises of the University of Reading whether online or in person within the UK are approved and run in accordance with the University’s Freedom of Speech Code of Practice and other relevant legal obligations including those related to its Prevent Duty.

The Freedom of Speech and Prevent Policy for Events

The Policy sets out a framework and related processes to ensure the University’s proud heritage of events, where debate and challenge are not only permitted but welcomed, continue for current and future generations.

Any member of staff, student or Council member wishing to host an event on University Premises must comply with the Freedom of Speech and Prevent Policy and the relevant review process, whether the event involves an external speaker, an internal speaker, or no speaker at all. Failure to comply with the Freedom of Speech and Prevent Policy for Events and associated review processes may result in disciplinary action under the staff or student disciplinary procedures.

Evaluating events

Where appropriate, and as described in the Freedom of Speech and Prevent Policy for Events, event organisers will be required to evaluate the event and its content in light of the University’s Prevent Duty and the duty to protect freedom of speech within the law at least 28 days prior to the planned event date and before an event can go ahead.

Event organisers are encouraged to use the Freedom of Speech and Prevent assessment tool for Events in order to help them assess whether there are further considerations or steps that need to be taken in order to secure freedom of speech or meet duties related to the Prevent Duty. They may also find this Events flowchart helpful.

The University has developed a new Speaker and Events Code of Conduct, which sets out the expected behaviour of students, staff and visitors at University Events.

Please note:

For the avoidance of doubt, the Freedom of Speech and Prevent Policy for Events and the related review processes sit alongside, but are separate from the University’s Event Notification Process, which event organisers will need to comply with separately and as required. Any permission given for an Event to go ahead under the Freedom of Speech and Prevent Policy for Events or the associated review processes is subject to complying with the University’s normal processes in relation to events, including submission of an Event Notification where required.

More information on the Freedom of Speech and Prevent Policy for Events

Complaints

The University is committed to taking reasonably practicable steps to secure freedom of speech within the law for its students, staff, Council members, and actual or invited visiting speakers, and academic freedom for its academic staff.

However, the University recognises that from time to time problems do arise and that individuals may occasionally wish to express concern or dissatisfaction with the steps that it has taken (or not taken) to secure freedom of speech or academic freedom.

If any individual is dissatisfied and wishes to explore a formal means of resolving their issue, the University operates an Internal Freedom of Speech Complaints Scheme.

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CHOOSE A SUBJECT

Freedom of speech

Freedom of Speech Code of Practice

Events

The Freedom of Speech and Prevent Policy for Events

Evaluating events

Please note:

Complaints

Subjects A-B

Subjects C-E

Subjects F-G

Subjects H-M

Subjects N-T

Subjects U-Z

Subjects A-C

Subjects D-G

Subjects H-P

Subjects Q-Z