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One of the big problems with the debate about 'free speech' on campus is that it captures a variety of issues within the umbrella of 'free speech', when these are connected but distinct issues, some of which are more concerning than others.
For example, there is little evidence of a big/growing problem of no-platforming for events/speakers etc (there could be greater clarity here but evidence suggests a tiny % of events/speakers rejected for prevent and/or free speech reasons) https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/media/860e26e2-63e7-47eb-84e0-49100788009c/ofs2019_22.pdf)
I'd also say to anyone who thinks they can win popular support from the public on free speech issues are likely to be disappointed. The public tend to support free speech theoretically but are in favour of restrictions when they are given examples (polling coming out soonish)
However, I do think there are legitimate concerns around campus monoculture/lack of pluralism, how this intersects with polarisation in society and online hostility, a 'chilling effect' for those with minority/unfashionable views, and...
the way universities engage with people/communities who do not share the sector's dominant values.
To take each in turn....
To take each in turn....
While it is difficult to find representative samples of academics I'm not sure anyone can argue that the academy isn't dominated by left of centre views (evidence from Europe, UK and US).
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1468-4446.12716
https://medium.com/@chrishanretty/is-the-left-over-represented-within-academia-90b1cbe00e8a https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/02/27/research-confirms-professors-lean-left-questions-assumptions-about-what-means
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1468-4446.12716
https://medium.com/@chrishanretty/is-the-left-over-represented-within-academia-90b1cbe00e8a https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/02/27/research-confirms-professors-lean-left-questions-assumptions-about-what-means
To some extent, why worry about this? This isn't surprising and it is not particularly different to other professions like teachers .
https://teachertapp.co.uk/teachers-vote-general-election-intentions-predict/
But our sector is a mirror to the society we live in. We are living through a period of deep polarisation...
https://teachertapp.co.uk/teachers-vote-general-election-intentions-predict/
But our sector is a mirror to the society we live in. We are living through a period of deep polarisation...
exacerbated by a very online culture which can be increasingly uncivil (which the public are concerned about) https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2019/04/04/for-a-civil-internet/
A separate King’s survey found 86% of students felt that widespread use of social media has allowed people to express intolerant views.
A separate King’s survey found 86% of students felt that widespread use of social media has allowed people to express intolerant views.
Any trawl through university/academic twitter will uncover a vast array of hostile tweets about political opponents, academic rivals and university leaders.
Perhaps this is fine and people have the right to express their views however they like within the law.
Perhaps this is fine and people have the right to express their views however they like within the law.
I wouldn't suggest any regulation to change this.
But this freedom for some, may impact the freedom of others. For obvious reasons it is likely to impact those with minority views more than those with dominant views within our sector.
But this freedom for some, may impact the freedom of others. For obvious reasons it is likely to impact those with minority views more than those with dominant views within our sector.
E.g. King's found 30 per cent of conservative-supporting students feel they are unable to express their views on campus, compared to 20 per cent of left-leaning students (although they are small sub-samples) https://www.kcl.ac.uk/policy-institute/assets/freedom-of-expression-in-uk-universities.pdf
We also need to be wary of how we engage with people/communities outside of the sector. When we look to make changes which relate to identity issues we should be as inclusive as possible and look at how people with different values could support reforms.
This brilliant article by @soniasodha explains this type of strategy https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/apr/01/outrage-makes-you-feel-good-but-doesnt-change-minds
For the reasons above I'm sceptical of an approach which focusses on Students' Unions and regulation.
Changing the law isn't going to improve civility and pluralism. Ultimately this requires long-term culture.
Changing the law isn't going to improve civility and pluralism. Ultimately this requires long-term culture.
If you are interested in any of this, I've got a report coming out for @HEPI_news (probably in the Spring/early summer) on developing a One Nation University - so that our sector can better serve and engage with all in society #staytuned #freespeech
