Freedom of Speech

Freedom of Speech Overview

The University of Wolverhampton (the University) recognises and upholds the principle that freedom of expression is a key part of the higher education experience we provide. For our students, apprentice learners and staff, the sharing of ideas is crucial for learning, and allows students to think critically, challenge and engage with different perspectives.  

These are not merely loose ideals. As a University, we have legal duties to protect free speech, and a regulatory obligation to promote it. The right to express views and ideas freely, without fear of interference or persecution, is an essential part of democracy.  

This comprehensive source of information is designed to support our University student, apprentice learner and staff community to better understand their rights, and indeed responsibilities within this space. It should be viewed to take precedent over other sources of information and provisions that may be found on our webpages. 

As a starting point, please see our Code of practice (Word doc 112k) which includes: the procedures that members, students and employees must follow in relation to meetings and other activities held on the premises, and the behaviours required of any people in connection with those activities.

In summary it upholds the following principles:  

• Everyone has the right to free speech within the law. 
• As a provider of Higher Education, we should always work to widen debate and challenge, never to narrow it. 
• Any decision about speakers and events should seek to promote and protect the right to freedom of expression. 
• Peaceful protest is a protected form of expression; however, protest should not be allowed to shut down debate or infringe the rights of others. 
• Freedom of expression should not be abused for the purpose of unchallenged hatred or bigotry. 
• As a provider of Higher Education, we should always aim to encourage balanced and respectful debate 

Our key functions are cited throughout and include  

• learning
• teaching
• research
• administration necessary for the above.

Changes to regulation 

In January 2025, the Secretary of State for Education made a statement in Parliament following the government’s review of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023. 

This set out the future direction for the legislation and confirmed the main duties on universities and constituent institutions of the Act that will be brought into force. 

For universities and colleges these include: 

•  a duty to take reasonably practicable steps to secure freedom of speech within the law 
• a ban on the use of non-disclosure agreements to silence victims of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct on campus 
• a requirement for all universities to have codes of practice to ensure the protection of free speech 
• a duty to promote the importance of freedom of speech in higher education. 

For the Office for Students these include: 

• a duty to promote freedom of speech. 

The University also recognises the importance of institutional citizenship and promoting positive collegial behaviour.  

One of our core aims is to create an environment where diverse perspectives can be explored and debated, while also ensuring the University itself does not take partisan positions on external political or moral issues. 

Why is this important?  

When a university takes sides on a controversial issue, it necessarily formally sets itself against the other position. This provides the bedrock for a potential chilling effect on people who hold another viewpoint. It also poses the very real risk that we foster an environment where attacking people for their viewpoints becomes acceptable. To ensure that all members of the University community feel free to express their ideas without fear of repercussion, we must remain neutral on matters of polarising public debate. 

What does this look like in practice?  

A commitment to institutional neutrality means that we refrain from: 

• Adopting or enforcing political, social or ideological viewpoints or agendas unless they are legally required of us or directly affect our core functions. 
• Issuing official statements on political, social, cultural, religious and moral issues that do not directly affect our core functions or institutional operations. 
• Requiring or pressuring staff or students to promote or support particular agendas unless legally required of us to do so. 
• Adopting political symbols or flying flags that signal alignment with specific political or social movements. 
• Endorsing or affiliating with external organisations promoting particular agendas, except as legally required of them. 

 However, institutional neutrality does not: 

• Restrict individual academics, and university staff members including those in senior positions, from expressing their own views on social and political issues—provided they do not do so on behalf of the institution. 
• Mean neutrality on the university’s fundamental commitment to academic freedom 
• Stop the University from stating a position on issues directly relevant to institutional operations.