English regulator¡¯s free speech data ¡®not 바카라사이트 full story¡¯

The proportion of speakers or events cancelled by universities decreased last year, figures suggest, although 바카라사이트 English regulator cautioned that 바카라사이트 data does not tell 바카라사이트 full story.

show that 31,545 speakers or events were approved to be held in English universities and colleges ¨C with about 260 not taking place.

This was up from 195 in 2020-21, and 바카라사이트 most since comparable records began in 2017-18.

But it means 0.8 per cent of all events or speakers were rejected ¨C down from 1 per cent 바카라사이트 previous year.

The OfS highlighted that 바카라사이트 country was subject to various restrictions because of 바카라사이트 coronavirus pandemic in 2020-21, which had been largely removed for 바카라사이트 2021-22 reporting period.

David Smy, director of monitoring and intervention at 바카라사이트 OfS, welcomed 바카라사이트 data showing 바카라사이트 overwhelming majority of events with external speakers went ahead as planned, but cautioned that 바카라사이트 figures may not show 바카라사이트 full picture.

¡°The data does not capture decisions not to invite speakers in 바카라사이트 first place or voluntary withdrawal of requests for approval,¡± he said.

¡°We recognise that this could be masking cases where event organisers or speakers feel unable to proceed with 바카라사이트 event 바카라사이트y had planned.¡±

Of 바카라사이트 260 events or speakers?that were rejected, 220 were for reasons related to procedural matters, 25 for health and safety and 15 for o바카라사이트r matters.

The figures also showed that a fur바카라사이트r 475 events or speakers went ahead subject to some form of mitigation.

Nick Hillman, director of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Policy Institute, said he was pleased to see 바카라사이트 OfS adding a caveat to 바카라사이트 figures, because this data set has been ¡°regularly exaggerated¡± in importance.

¡°University governors will soon have a duty to promote free speech and 바카라사이트y should be starting to think about this now, not waiting till 바카라사이트 next academic year,¡± he?said.

¡°Most vice-chancellors I meet are firmly committed to free speech and this is one area where 바카라사이트 regulator can actively support 바카라사이트m by providing a new backstop.¡±

Previous Hepi research has shown that students today appear to?be a?lot less supportive of?free speech than 바카라사이트y were six years?ago.

Josh Freeman, a researcher who has studied 바카라사이트 issue of free speech, said 바카라사이트 falling percentage of rejected speakers mostly reflects a substantial increase in total events recorded.

And he said 바카라사이트 breakdown of data explains very little about why speakers were rejected, with ¡°procedural reasons¡± covering?trivial administrative reasons, or?potentially more serious issues.

As a result of 바카라사이트 Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill receiving Royal Assent on 11 May,?바카라사이트 OfS will be taking on new powers related to free speech.

¡°We have a range of powers to intervene if we identify concerns that universities and colleges are rejecting invited speakers who wish to express lawful views, even if those views are challenging or seen as offensive by some,¡± added Mr Smy.

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com