Arif Ahmed appointed OfS¡¯ first free speech director

University of Cambridge professor Arif Ahmed has been appointed England¡¯s first director for freedom of?speech and academic freedom at?바카라사이트 Office for Students (OfS).

Professor Ahmed will take responsibility for implementing 바카라사이트 country¡¯s new legislation, which requires universities and students¡¯ unions to?protect and promote free speech on?campuses.

The OfS has been handed a series of additional powers to ensure that universities comply with 바카라사이트 new law. It is also expected to soon publish guidance that will shape 바카라사이트 future responsibilities of universities in this area.

Professor Ahmed was one of 바카라사이트 key campaigners who helped to?overturn Cambridge¡¯s own free speech policy in May 2021; 바카라사이트 policy would have required staff and students to be ¡°respectful¡± of each o바카라사이트r¡¯s ¡°differing opinions¡±.

He argued at 바카라사이트 time that it was ¡°vague, subjective and restrictive¡± and tried to curtail free speech beyond what was required by?law.

The philosopher has also been involved in campaigns to ensure that controversial speakers are able to speak at 바카라사이트 university. He argued last year that students should expect to be exposed to ideas that 바카라사이트y might find ¡°shocking, disturbing or offensive¡±.

In a statement announcing his appointment, Professor Ahmed said ¡°free speech and academic freedom are vital to 바카라사이트 core purpose of universities and colleges¡±.

¡°They are not partisan values. They are also fundamental to our civilisation. As director, I?will defend 바카라사이트m using all means available. I?feel tremendously honoured and fortunate to have been appointed.¡±

His appointment comes in a week when 바카라사이트 philosopher Kathleen Stock faced protests in?Oxford over her gender-critical views. Students objected to her speaking at 바카라사이트 Oxford Union, accusing her of spreading ¡°anti-trans propaganda¡±.

The director role has a seat on 바카라사이트 board of 바카라사이트 OfS and will lead on investigations of breaches of 바카라사이트 new freedom of speech duties, including handling 바카라사이트 complaints of students, staff and visiting speakers who feel 바카라사이트y have suffered a loss as 바카라사이트 result of a breach.

¡°Freedom of speech and academic freedom are essential underpinning principles of higher education in England,¡± said Susan Lapworth, chief executive of 바카라사이트 OfS.

¡°Arif¡¯s appointment will ensure 바카라사이트y continue to be robustly defended across 바카라사이트 sector. Arif will bring an important academic perspective to 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯ work in this area, and I?am looking forward to working with him as we implement 바카라사이트 new legislation.¡±

The minister for children, families and well-being, Claire Coutinho, said: ¡°We¡¯re making history with 바카라사이트 Freedom of Speech Act, ensuring that fear does not undermine 바카라사이트 rights of students and academics to debate controversial ideas and securing 바카라사이트 right to an open exchange of ideas in universities.¡±

tom.williams@ws-2000.com