Freedom of Speech
Balancing freedom of expression with legal and ethical responsibilities is becoming more complex. This session unpacks your obligations and offers guidance for handling challenging scenarios with confidence.
This workshop will help you: understand the legal and policy frameworks surrounding freedom of speech in higher education. You’ll explore how to support lawful expression while managing risk, responding to contentious events, and balancing competing institutional duties
The session supports the development of practical policies aligned with new statutory expectations.
About the workshop
What’s included
- Legal duties under current and upcoming legislation
- Policy development and implementation
- Case-based discussion of contentious issues
- Institutional approaches to balancing rights and responsibilities
What’s not included
- Legal casework or risk assessment for individual events
Who should attend
- Governance and Policy Leads
- Risk Managers
- Student Services Managers
- Academic and Compliance Leads
- Event Coordination Teams
Why it matters
The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 introduces direct duties and potential sanctions – HEIs must act to ensure lawful speech is protected and promoted.