This revised 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.
This guidance does not constitute legal advice.
You can download the Promoting good relations in higher education guidance, along with the supplementary legal framework and activities and events checklist, below.
Protected beliefs in higher education
This guidance supports 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, and protections against unlawful discrimination and harassment, within the present UK legal framework.