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Member Project 23-24: Navigating Freedom of Speech for the Short and Long Term Governance Event

This interactive online event, delivered in association with CUC, AHUA and UUK is for colleagues to understand the latest updates to Freedom of Speech regulation and identify and manage related risks strategically.

New regulation and tort law around freedom of speech and academic freedom within English higher education will come into full effect later this year, though the issues that they raise are experienced across the UK and beyond. Guidance is being developed by Advance HE to help institutions navigate the challenges that emanate from balancing freedom of speech, academic freedom and good relations within the law, which will be published in late spring. As chairs, governors and governance professionals, how can you help your institutions anticipate and navigate challenges in this area both for the short and long term? How do you ensure there is an appropriate approach to seeking and testing assurance?

Advance HE

Event aims 

This interactive online event, delivered in association with CUC, AHUA and UUK, will provide a forum for the governance community to understand and horizon-scan the regulatory environment and gain an overview of the sector guidance to inform their own practice. Advance HE will be publishing new guidance on protected beliefs shortly. Attendees will:

  • hear from a diverse range of speakers with different role perspectives
  • have a chance to share and consider their own institution’s experiences of navigating freedom of speech to date
  • learn from other institutions and reflect on key aspects of the guidance through networking and breakout discussions.
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Who should attend?

This event is designed for governors/trustees, Chairs, governance professionals, SU CEOs and others interested in understanding the implications for institutions of the updated Freedom of Speech legislation in England, and similar operating challenges in the devolved nations, and how these interact with relevant principles and legal requirements pertaining to academic freedom and good relations.

Attendee takeaways  

  • An enhanced understanding of the current policy and regulatory issues
  • An understanding of the key principles which underpin how to balance freedom of speech, academic freedom and good relations within the law from the new guidance
  • Insights into a range of institutional experiences and approaches to assurance to inform your own practice.
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Programme - Navigating Freedom of Speech for the Short and Long Term

This virtual event will be 90 minutes long and follow a format that includes both input from experts and provides an opportunity for colleagues to share insights and learn from each other. This forum will help colleagues understand the latest updates to Freedom of Speech regulation and identify and manage related risks at a strategic level.

The format of the event will be as follows:

  • Introduction to the session, speakers and topic
  • Panel discussion and Q&A
  • Breakout discussions about the topics introduced
  • Plenary for groups to share their main points of discussion with the wider audience
  • Summary and wrap up    

The event took place on 6 June 2024, virtual.

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Speakers

Panel Chair

David Bass

Director of EDI
,
Advance HE
David Bass
David leads the strategic development, planning and delivery of Advance HE’s programme for universities and colleges in Scotland. He brings a wealth of experience working with the Scottish sector, in governance as well as strategic planning and management, SFC Outcome Agreements, and equality and diversity.

Event Chair

Victoria Holbrook

Assistant Director, Consulting, Governance and Insights
,
Advance HE
Victoria Holbrook
As Assistant Director, Consulting, Governance and Insight, Victoria leads the development of Advance HE’s consultancy and insight to meet the strategic change needs of members and clients in their rapidly evolving operating environments, including our sector-leading work supporting governance effectiveness, and student surveys.

Panelists

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods

Chair of the Board
,
Northumbria University
Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods
Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods stepped down as a Member of Parliament, having been the MP for the City of Durham from 2005-2019. During her time in parliament Roberta served as a Deputy Minister in the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, where she was involved in shaping higher education policy. From 2011-2019 she was the Shadow Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.

Shahid Omer

Director of Policy
,
Universities UK
Shahid Omer
After an initial career in magazine publishing and media, Shahid Omer joined the civil service through the Civil Service Fast Stream and went on to have roles in Private Office, business finance (helping establish the British Business Bank), Industrial Strategy and as Senior Policy Adviser to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg during the Coalition Government.

Anthony McClaran

Vice-Chancellor
,
St Mary's University, Twickenham
Anthony McClaran
Anthony McClaran became the third Vice-Chancellor of St Mary’s University in April 2020, having returned to the UK from Australia, where he served as CEO of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) from 2015 to 2020.

Rachel Sandby-Thomas

Registrar
,
University of Warwick
Rachel Sandby-Thomas
Rachel is responsible for the professional services of the University. Rachel joined Warwick after a long career in the Civil Service, the last 8 years of which were as a Director General in the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills where she covered legal, corporate services and policy (skills, regulation, large and small businesses, local growth). She joined the Civil Service as a lawyer from Linklaters.