London, (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A third of students are concerned that free speech on campus is at risk, and those with traditional or challenging views up being cancelled.
Research by the Policy Institute at Kings College London, based on several surveys, found that although 65% of students thought free speech and robust debate are well protected in their university an increasing number voiced concerns.
When asked how threatened free speech is in their university, one-in-three (34 per cent) said it is “very” or “fairly threatened”, up from 23 per cent in 2019.
Almost half of students (49 per cent) think universities “are becoming less tolerant of a wide range of viewpoints”, as 25 per cent said they have “very” or “fairly often” heard of incidents where free speech has been “inhibited” in their university, compared to 12 per cent in 2019.
More than half (51 per cent) agreed that their institution’s climate prevents people from voicing their beliefs for fear of offending others, while 34 per cent admitted to personally withholding their opinion on the topic of ‘gender identity’.
Professor Bobby Duffy, Director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London, commented: “the large majority ofuniversity students think their universities are protecting their freedom of speech, but secondly, that increasing minorities of students feel this is under threat and have heard of examples of free speech being inhibited.
“We can’t divorce these trends in universities from changes in wider society, where we’ve seen increasing focus on ‘culture war’ issues, which will influence student opinions.”
The results of the study from Kings College will come as no surprise to free speech campaigners who have warned about the growth of “cancel culture” in our universities which is seen academics, guest speakers and students censured or cancelled because of their views.
According to the office for students 193 requests to host events or speakers what time down by higher education institutions in 2020-21, more than double the number of the previous year.
While the Free Speech Union, founded by Toby young, has worked with scores of academics and students who have been cancelled, intimidated, or even forced to leave the institution for their views.
One example of this was the treatment of Kathleen Stock OBE. The British philosopher and academic who was forced out of the University of Sussex in 2021 for her views on gender identity. Professor Stock, a leading feminist and women’s rights campaigner was subjected to a campaign by small minority of students and trans-activists who claimed hergender critical views “excluded and endangered” trans people. Professor Stock was also criticised by the group Anti Turf Sussex for being a trustee of the LGB Alliance and for signing the declaration of the Women’s Human Rights Campaign.
Following a series of protests at Sussex University, threats and intimidation police advised the academic to take precautions for “her own safety” including installing CCTV at home and using bodyguards on campus.
Professor stock was sanguine about the experience saying”“Universities aren’t places where students should just expect to hear their own thoughts reflected back at them. Arguments should be met by arguments and evidence by evidence, not intimidation or aggression”.
However, after months of intimidation, harassment and pressure she left the university.
Free speech campaigners have highlighted Professor stock’s treatment along with hundreds of other cases and say, her treatment and that of many others is why the government must follow through on its commitment to introduce legal protections for academics, students and guest speakers on campus.
The government has brought forward legislation on this issue, however there is concern amongst campaigners that its provisions might be watered down. In its draft form the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill will place a legal duty on institutions in England to protect and promote free speech and if they fail to do so they could face hefty fines.
For more information on the progress of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill please visit: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/2862
For more information on the Free Speech Union and their work please visit: https://freespeechunion.org