The interplay between protected beliefs and freedom of speech is at the heart of Higher Education in the UK, a cornerstone of discourse and central to delivering an inclusive experience for students and staff. These fundamental principles can intersect in complex and contentious ways. Securing free speech and academic freedom on topics such as trans inclusion and gender critical feminism, or in relation to Israel/Gaza, whilst also preventing harassment, can pose a challenge for institutions.
Strengthen understanding and build confidence to ensure protected beliefs and freedom of speech are protected and promoted, from ‘classroom to boardroom’.
At this event, on 19 June 2024, participants will have the opportunity to hear from experts on protected beliefs and freedom of speech in the higher education context. They will also have the opportunity to develop practical approaches to scenarios in interactive workshops.
Join us at the event
Date: 19 June 2024, virtual
Why should you attend?
Benefits to institutions
- Understand recent case law and legal developments relating to protected beliefs.
- A strengthened understanding of protected beliefs, rights of free speech and academic freedom and related legal duties in HE.
- A clearer understanding of the present UK legal framework around unlawful discrimination and harassment.
- Consideration of strategic approaches and policies and practical steps to promoting good relations.
- Increased awareness of risks and mitigations.
Benefits to individuals
- Confidence from the understanding of protected beliefs, rights of free speech and academic freedom and navigating difficult circumstances that many managers are facing across the sector.
- A space in which approaches to managing risk and navigating current and topical challenges in relation to best practice, case law and regulation can be explored.
- Testing thinking and emergent approaches through challenge scenarios, building understanding and confidence.
Format of the event
This online event is an opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue, debate and reflection designed to strengthen understanding of the complexities of this terrain and build capacity to navigate the intersections of protected beliefs and freedom of speech.
Participants will consider the key points from Advance HE’s soon to be released Guidance on Protected Beliefs, hear from legal experts, and explore practical ways to navigate tensions between freedom or speech, academic freedom and protected beliefs through a range of realistic, challenging scenarios.
Outline of the day
Who should attend?
This event is likely to be of interest to anyone who is managing or involved in issues relating to freedom of speech and protected beliefs in the learning and teaching environment, in student support services, in human resources/employment and to those with responsibility for shaping institutional EDI strategy and practice.
Speakers
Book your place
Date: 19 June 2024, virtual
Agenda
10.30 Welcome and Introduction
10:35 Introduction to AHE Guidance on Protected Beliefs:
· Definition and Scope of Protected Beliefs
· Rights of Individuals to Hold and Express Their Beliefs
· Responsibilities of Higher Education Institutions in Upholding Diversity and Inclusion
· Learning from significant cases
· Decision making
11.00 Q&A on the guidance
11.15 Interactive Scenario Workshop Sessions round 1
12.15 Lunch break
13.00 Interactive Scenario Workshop Sessions round 2
13.45 Legal Perspective: The UK's Legal Framework for Free Speech and Protected Beliefs in Higher Education:
· Questions to be answered (the grey areas)
14:15 Discussion and Q&A with panel of experts
An opportunity to discuss the previous exercise and to hear from our panel of experts on their responses to the scenarios
15.15 Next steps
15.45 Closing Remarks
By 16.00 Close
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Strategic Preparation Programme - free speech and academic freedom
Responding to sector needs we have developed a strategic preparation programme. It will support institutions in understanding risk and preparing for current challenges relating to free speech by testing your strategy with your colleagues, other institutions and through crisis simulation.
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