Freedom of Speech

Key points about the Freedom of Speech Code of Practice

• The Freedom of Speech Code of Practice applies to all events and activities relating to the University’s academic life so far as these affect freedom of speech or academic freedom, including those related to teaching, research, enterprise or administration. It doesn’t just cover events with external speakers, although there is a specific approval process relating to these (see below).
• Events and activities taking place on-campus, off campus, online (e.g. by Microsoft Teams) and mixed online and in person are all covered by the Code of Practice.
• Freedom of speech and academic freedom include the right to express views which others may find shocking, upsetting or offensive, provided the views expressed are lawful. There is rightly a high level of legal protection for these freedoms.
• However, the rights to academic freedom and freedom of speech are not absolute - they are freedoms within the law. Academic freedom and freedom of speech may not be exercised if in so doing it breaks the law or breaches the rights of others (e.g. if its expression is unlawfully discriminatory or threatens others’ safety).
• The Freedom of Speech Code of Practice sets out a limited range of circumstances in which an event or activity may be refused permission to proceed or have conditions imposed on it. Only the University Secretary can refuse permission for an event or activity to go ahead or impose conditions on it. Any concerns about an event or activity should be referred to the University Secretary for a decision.
• Our focus will always be on enabling the event or activity to go ahead. Permission will only be withheld in the circumstances specified in the Freedom of Speech Code of Practice, and normally only after attempts to engage with the organisers to put reasonable conditions in place to address the University’s concerns have been exhausted. Experience suggests that conditions are not commonly imposed and refusal of permission is extremely rare.

External Speaker Events

• The Freedom of Speech Code of Practice includes the University’s procedures for the approval and booking of external speaker events.
• An external speaker event is any event – whether on campus, off campus or online (e.g. by Teams) - with one or more external speakers which is not normal university activity related to teaching, research, enterprise or administration. For example, conferences, symposiums, seminars, public talks or public lectures involving one or more external speakers, including events open to the public and those which are restricted to University of Greenwich attendees. Use of guest or visiting lecturers as part of normal classroom teaching does not fall under the external speaker approval process (but is covered by the general provisions of the Freedom of Speech Code of Practice).
• Prior approval of the external speaker event must be sought using the external speaker approval form which is provided with the Freedom of Speech Code of Practice. The completed form should be sent at least 15 working days before the date of the proposed event to the appropriate Approving Officer as indicated in section 7.3 of the Freedom of Speech Code of Practice.
• The Approving Officer must contact the University Secretary if the Approving Officer believes that the event falls within the limited range of criteria set out in the Code of Practice in which approval may be refused or conditions imposed.
• Where an external speaker event has been approved to proceed, any proposal to subsequently withdraw permission or impose conditions (including withdrawal of an invitation to an external speaker) must be referred to the University Secretary, who will only withdraw permission or impose conditions if one of the circumstances specified in the Code of Practice applies.
• Any room booking which is required for an external speaker event must be organised separately and is contingent on the event being approved.
• As part of our partnership with Greenwich Students' Union (GSU), the approval of student group and student society events involving external speakers is overseen by GSU under its External Speaker Policy in accordance with the Freedom of Speech Code of Practice. As part of its commitment to freedom of speech, GSU does not operate a 'no platforming' policy.

Security Costs

• The University will not pass on to student groups any security costs associated with events and activities organised by them which are permitted under the Freedom of Speech Code of Practice, including external speaker events. Faculties and directorates are expected to meet the costs of any events and activities which they organise through the normal University budgeting process.
• We will pass on security costs to outside organisations or individuals who book the University’s premises for their own events and activities (venue hire). This is because venue hire is a commercial activity carried out to raise revenue for the University, and it would not be a permitted use of the University’s charitable resources to subsidise other bodies’ security costs.

Freedom of Speech Complaints

• The Freedom of Speech Code of Practice explains the University’s procedures for dealing with appeals and complaints about freedom of speech and academic freedom, including appeals relating to external speaker events.
• Please note that the free speech complaints scheme to be operated by the Office for Students is currently paused while the government reviews the legislation.

Further Information

• For further information, see the Freedom of Speech Code of Practice or contact the University Secretary (universitysecretary@greenwich.ac.uk).