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 public events and events with external speakers, although there is a specific approval process relating to these events which staff and students wanting to put on events must go through (see ‘What events require approval’).
• Events and activities taking place on-campus, off campus, online (e.g. by Microsoft Teams) and mixed online and in person (hybrid events) are all covered by the Code of Practice.
• As indicated (see 'Our Values relating to freedom of speech'), 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.  However, these 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 constitutes unlawful discrimination or harassment or presents a risk to physical  safety).
• The Freedom of Speech Code of Practice sets out a limited range of circumstances in which the University may refuse to allow an event or activity to proceed or may impose conditions on it. Only the University Secretary can refuse permission for an event or activity or impose conditions. Any concerns about an event or activity should be referred to the University Secretary for a decision (See 'Further Information').
• The University will always try to enable lawful events and activities to go ahead. We will only withhold permission in the circumstances specified in the Freedom of Speech Code of Practice, and normally only after we've tried to engage with organisers to resolve any issues or put reasonable conditions in place to address our concerns.  Where possible, any conditions will relate to 'time, place and manner' (eg requiring an event to go ahead at a different time with extra security in place or in a different room) rather than restricting the content of what is being expressed.
• Staff and students are responsible for seeking  approval through our approval processes for events with external speakers and public events (see 'What events require approval').  Failure to do so will result in approval of the event being refused.
• We're reviewing our policies and procedures in light of the freedom of speech guidance issued by the Office for Students. In the event of any conflict between the Freedom of Speech Code of Practice and other University of Greenwich policies and procedures, the Code of Practice takes precedence.

Our Values Relating to Freedom of Speech

• The University of Greenwich is committed to the pursuit of research and education, engagement with local, national and international communities, and the development of intellectual capacity of the highest standard through rigorous and open academic enquiry.  The traditions of academic freedom, mutual tolerance and rigorous and fair intellectual debate are held in high regard throughout the University and are fundamental to our mission.
• The University’s commitment to academic freedom and to ensuring freedom of speech within the law is embedded in the University’s constitution, our Articles of Association. It reflects our core values as an academic community and specific legal obligations on universities to promote, protect and respect these key freedoms. 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.
• Our  Freedom of Speech Code of Practice sets out how we will protect these freedoms and the limited range of circumstances in which they may be restricted.

What Events Require Approval?

• Under the Freedom of Speech Code of Practice, certain events require approval before they can go ahead.  This applies regardless of whether events are on campus, off campus, online of hybrid (mixed online and in person).
• Student groups and student societies seeking to put on an an event involving one or more external speakers should apply for permission to Greenwich Students' Union (GSU).  GSU's External Speaker Policy operates in accordance with the University's Freedom of Speech Code of Practice.  As part of its commitment to freedom of speech, GSU does not operate a 'no platforming' policy.
• Staff must seek approval from the University for the following types of events:
  • Any event involving one or more external speakers, regardless of whether it is an internal event or a public event.
  • Any public event, including those with external speakers and those where the only speakers will be Greenwich staff/students.
• Staff do not need to seek approval under the Freedom of Speech Code of Practice for routine internal University activities related to teaching, research, enterprise or administration.  Examples of activities where approval would not be required include the use of a guest lecturer for teaching purposes or an external invitee attending an administrative meeting (NB these activities will still be subject to our commitment to freedom of speech in the Code of Practice).  Examples where staff members would need to seek approval include any public event or an internal conference, talk or symposium where an external speaker is invited to address the audience.
• For information on how to seek approval, see 'How do I seek approval for my event?'.

How do I seek approval for my event?

• Applications for the approval of events must be submitted at least 15 working days prior to the date of the proposed event, otherwise the event may be refused permission to proceed.
• As indicated,  student groups and student societies seeking to put on an event involving one or more external speakers should apply for permission to Greenwich Students' Union (GSU).
• Staff seeking to put on a public event or an event involving one or more external speakers should complete the appropriate online form below:
• Greenwich Business School Event Approval Form
• Faculty of Education, Health and Human Sciences Event Approval Form
• Faculty of Engineering and Science Event Approval Form
• Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences Event Approval Form (NB for planning purposes, FLAS staff are also required to give prior notification of events using the Faculty’s Event Proposal Form, which should normally be completed one term in advance).
• Professional Service Directorates Event Approval Form

NB you must not proceed with your event until confirmation of approval has been received.

What happens after I've applied for approval?

• The appropriate Approving Officer in the Freedom of Speech Code of Practice (section 7.3) or their nominee will consider the application for your event. They will contact the University Secretary if they believe that the event may fall within the limited range of criteria set out in the Code of Practice in which approval may be refused or conditions imposed. Any decision to refuse permission or impose conditions will be made by the University Secretary. If the person organising the event or an external speaker disagrees with the University Secretary’s decision, they have the right to appeal under the Freedom of Speech Code of Practice.
• The decision on your event application will be communicated to you and it's important that you comply with any conditions.
• If there are material changes to an event following approval (eg addition of extra speakers), you must contact the relevant Approving Officer in advance of the change to seek approval.  This can be done by email and does not require completion of the application form again.
• Once a public event or an event involving external speakers 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.

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 events involving external speakers and public events.
• Please note that the free speech complaints scheme to be operated by the Office for Students has not yet been implemented by the government.

Further Information

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