New procedures on academic freedom and freedom of speech
Posted on 10 March 2025
The Code builds on the University’s deep-rooted commitment to academic freedom and freedom of speech within the law, as captured in our founding Charter and expressed in our Strategy 2030. It replaces the previous Regulation 10 on freedom of speech within the University.
The Code was developed by a task and finish group chaired by the Academic Registrar, with representation from the Faculties, York Student Union, and the EDI, Communications and Governance and Assurance teams.
New procedures
The new procedures within the Code now apply to events overseen by staff as well as students, and cover any potentially sensitive event badged in the University’s name, whether on or off campus or online, or private events hosted on University premises.
This includes visiting speakers and other formal discussion events (eg open meetings or internal speaker events such as research seminars), which are potentially sensitive and/or challenging in nature.
Out of scope are sessions held as a formal part of a programme of study, discussions which take place as part of regular committee business, and meetings organised on a commercial basis by external and/or private organisations.
The new procedures will support staff and students to go ahead with organising potentially sensitive events. We are committed to ensuring that academic freedom and freedom of speech are upheld, balanced with the rights of all members of our community to a fair, welcoming and inclusive environment, and the need to protect the safety and wellbeing of staff, students and visitors.
What you need to do
At least three weeks before your planned event, you’ll need to:
- Consider these four key prompts to identify whether the event is potentially sensitive.
- If so, contact the Governance and Assurance Office for further advice and support, providing outline details of the meeting and the potential issues involved.
If the event is identified as potentially sensitive, you’ll need to:
- confirm a Sponsor for the event (usually the HoD/Professional Service Director or equivalent)
- together with the Sponsor, work with the Potentially Sensitive Events Group, which includes colleagues from Campus Safety, Communications, EDI and Governance and Assurance, chaired by the Academic Registrar, to identify and address any risks, and ensure that measures are in place to support respectful debate.
See our Procedures for designating and supporting Potentially Sensitive Events for more information.