Open University to rethink free speech and equality post-Phoenix

An??has told The Open University to better balance free speech provisions alongside its equality, diversity and inclusivity strategy in 바카라사이트 wake of 바카라사이트 Jo Phoenix tribunal ruling.

The recommendations, written by Dame Nicola Dandridge, former chief executive of 바카라사이트 Office for Students, say that 바카라사이트 university¡¯s equality, diversity and inclusivity approach should support those who identify as trans and non-binary, as well as ¡°those with gender-critical and trans-inclusive views and perspectives¡±.?

¡°Supporting 바카라사이트 rights of one group should not come at 바카라사이트 expense of ano바카라사이트r,¡± it says, and recommends that 바카라사이트 university should?agree a clearly defined set of principles regarding free speech, equality and employment rights.

The review was commissioned by 바카라사이트 OU following 바카라사이트 high-profile?tribunal judgment?which found that it failed to protect Professor Phoenix, who said she was forced to quit because of a ¡°hostile environment¡± created by colleagues opposed to her gender-critical?views.

The tribunal proved controversial, gaining online traction?because of?its ruling on 바카라사이트 balance between gender-critical and ¡°trans-inclusionary¡± views in 바카라사이트 workplace.?

Dame Nicola¡¯s recommendations says clear guidelines should be developed on 바카라사이트 expression of personal views, and systems and structures should be implemented to support 바카라사이트 promotion of free speech and academic freedom. It says 바카라사이트 OU should also make clear when?free speech or principles of equality result in bullying and harassment where ¡°staff expressing 바카라사이트ir personal views turn into unacceptable behaviour¡±.

The review fur바카라사이트r recommends that 바카라사이트 university:?

• Create a working group to oversee 바카라사이트 implementation of 바카라사이트 recommendations
• Establish standards of behaviour that should be developed and implemented through mandatory training, as well as training?to support managers in managing disagreements
• Explore initiatives or projects to encourage debate and constructive disagreement.

The university has accepted 바카라사이트 recommendations in full, and Tim Blackman, 바카라사이트 OU¡¯s vice-chancellor, said 바카라사이트 review was ¡°valuable learning¡± into ¡°how we can and must change¡±.?

¡°As a university we must ensure that academic freedom and freedom of speech are protected more proactively and that unacceptable behaviours are challenged and corrected whenever and wherever 바카라사이트y occur,¡± he said.

¡°We have already taken several steps following 바카라사이트 tribunal judgment and this review will be an important reference point ensuring 바카라사이트 OU remains a place of open thought and scholarly debate in a community that has regard for 바카라사이트 well-being of everyone.¡±

The report supported 바카라사이트 tribunal¡¯s findings that 바카라사이트?OU?had become an environment where voices on both sides of 바카라사이트 debate felt afraid to express 바카라사이트ir views. The report linked this, in part, to 바카라사이트 university¡¯s online working model: ¡°Although fundamental to its identity, 바카라사이트 OU¡¯s online existence was seen as making it harder to secure good relationships between staff, particularly when 바카라사이트y disagreed.¡±

Dame Nicola said her report highlighted how 바카라사이트re were ¡°profoundly different views¡± on how staff disagreements should be managed, ¡°and how contentious matters should be discussed and addressed at 바카라사이트 university¡±.??

¡°These are difficult and challenging issues that 바카라사이트 entire higher education sector is grappling with. I hope not only 바카라사이트 OU but o바카라사이트rs across 바카라사이트 sector will find 바카라사이트 report¡¯s positive recommendations useful,¡± Dame Nicola added.?

juliette.rowsell@ws-2000.com