The Promoting good relations in higher education revised 2024 guidance provides an overview of the ways in which higher education institutions (HEIs) can promote tolerance and develop a culture where relationships between diverse groups and individuals enhance the learning experience, protect freedom of speech and academic freedom, tackle harassment, and contribute to an inclusive society.
This guidance supports institutions to:
- understand good relations in HE and how this intersects with equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and free speech
- review and strengthen policies, processes and practices relevant to fostering good relations, including making decisions about free speech, within the present legal framework
- put in place immediate, medium and longer-term strategies for managing situations/incidents that challenge good relations and fostering a tolerant and inclusive culture.
This guidance outlines good principles of process and practice that institutions should consider in their particular context.
Academic freedom and equality
Alongside their commitment to academic freedom, institutions have legal obligations in relation to equality, human rights and security. Institutions may experience no tension between the right to freedom of speech and academic freedom and the rights of the individual to be protected from discrimination, harassment or fear of violence.
However, on occasions the two positions may be in opposition and institutions should be prepared to take action if ideas or views infringe the rights of others, discriminate against them, or if any activity constitutes a criminal offence or incites others to commit criminal acts.
Dealing with hate crimes and intolerance
The key principle for dealing with hate crimes and intolerance on campus is to understand that all staff and students have the right to work, study and live without fear of intimidation, harassment and threatening or violent behaviour.
The key ingredient for the preservation of academic freedom is tolerance and respect for diversity.
As a general rule, it is recommended that institutions should consider incidents of hate crime and intolerance on a case-by-case basis within the framework of an agreed policy, seeking specific legal advice where necessary.
Strategies for promoting good relations
An effective strategy for promoting good relations on campus should have three sections:
- immediate action to deal with hate crimes/incidents and other intolerance
- medium-term action by the institution to tackle specific hate crime and intolerant activity in the wider institutional context
- long-term activity designed to help promote good relations between all people in the institution
Academic staff
Academic staff have a crucial role to play in ensuring that higher education institutions are inclusive and accessible, and encourage good relations between the diverse groups that study, work, or otherwise engage with them.
Students’ unions
The management of incidents that threaten good relations will often involve close working with student societies and the students’ union. When a student’s association is a separate entity to the institution with its own charity and legal status, staff with responsibility for working with students’ union officers and student associations will need to understand the institution’s equality responsibilities with regard to student clubs and societies affiliated to the association and using HEI premises.
Related publications
Promoting good relations in higher education (2024)
Promoting good relations in higher education guidance – Section 3 interim update
Promoting good relations on campus: a guide for higher and further education (2013)
Managing good relations: training packs
Equality and diversity for academics factsheet: promoting good relations
