Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom
The University of Winchester is committed to the love of learning and pursuit of knowledge. This includes a commitment to protecting and promoting freedom of speech and academic freedom.
Freedom of Speech Statement
Freedom of speech means that everyone has the right within the law to impart ideas, opinions or information freely, without unwarranted interference.
Academic freedom relates to the right of academic staff employed by the University, acting within the law, to question and test received wisdom, and to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions.
The University is committed to:
- Securing freedom of speech within the law
- Promoting freedom of speech and academic freedom and creating an environment in which this can happen
- Protecting the rights of staff, students and apprentice learners to question and test received wisdom and to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions
- Applying critical thinking and engagement in legitimate and lawful comment, debate and robust dialogue.
The University’s values underpin its belief that freedom of speech and academic freedom are best exercised reflectively, and with a generous spirit defined by intellectual curiosity. Creating an environment conducive to free speech and academic freedom does not mean that the University endorses any perspective being shared, but it recognises the right of everyone to have their own views and opinions, and to express them, in accordance with the law. The University will adopt a position of institutional neutrality and will avoid issuing official statements about public matters unless those matters directly affect the institution’s core function of teaching, research, and learning.
Coming to University is all about exploring and being curious about the world. Students will be encouraged to seek to discover new ideas and understand new perspectives. Sometimes students may encounter topics or discussions which they may find difficult, contentious or discomforting. The University maintains a learning environment that encourages individuals to engage in constructive debate, listening to views which may differ from their own with interest and tolerance and defending their own positions with reasoned argument.
Freedom of Speech Code of Practice
The University is required under the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, as amended by the Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act 2023, to publish a Freedom of Speech Code of Practice. The University’s Freedom of Speech Code of Practice explains how the University will protect and promote freedom of speech and academic freedom at the University.
A member of the University’s Executive Leadership Team has been appointed as the University’s Free Speech Officer. If you have questions or a concern about the University’s Freedom of Speech Code of Practice, you can contact the Officer by email: freespeech@winchester.ac.uk. To raise a complaint, please read below.
Raising a complaint
Complaints may be raised regarding the exercise of academic freedom or freedom of speech, or potential breaches of the University's Freedom of Speech Code of Practice.
To raise a complaint, please visit the University’s Report and Support website and select ‘Freedom of Speech or Academic Freedom’ from the list.
In order to avoid unnecessary intrusive investigations, the University will undertake a preliminary assessment to assess whether to commence an investigation. The starting point of any such process should be that lawful speech will not be punished because of a viewpoint that it expresses. The University will not progress complaints about lawful speech or expression because of a viewpoint it expresses.
The University will determine the most appropriate procedure to address the concern, making any necessary enquiries. This may result in further investigation under the University’s disciplinary, grievance, or complaints procedures, as applicable, which may result in a range of sanctions detailed in the relevant policy.
Our complaints process will promptly reject vexatious, frivolous or obviously unmeritorious complaints relating to speech. The University will not pursue vexatious complaints or trivial investigations into other matters against an individual solely because of their lawful expression of a viewpoint. In practice, it may not always be possible to determine that a complaint is vexatious at the outset of any investigation.
Complaints will be concluded as rapidly as is reasonably practicable and compatible with fairness.