The Government has confirmed that Arif Ahmed, a Cambridge professor of philosophy, will be the new Director for Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom at the Office for Students, a position created by the new Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act. The Times has more.
Universities face “urgent threats to free speech and academic freedom”, Arif Ahmed, the government’s new freedom of speech champion has said.
Ahmed pledged to use his new role to stand up for “all views”, adding that he was not in the role to join in any culture war nor promote the views of the Government.
The Cambridge professor is the first to fill the job, which was announced by the Department for Education (DfE) in 2021 as part of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill.
As well as championing freedom of expression on campus, Ahmed will be responsible for investigating any infringements of the duties placed on universities to promote freedom of speech.
The bill, which became law on May 11th, also includes a new complaints scheme which could result in sanctions for universities that do not uphold freedom of speech within the law.
Ahmed said failures could include no-platforming external speakers, enforcing “ideological” bias training for staff and students, and disciplining lecturers for their social media activity.
The DfE has also suggested that universities that use non-disclosure agreements against staff or students who report bullying or abuse could be affected by the bill.
A blogpost by the DfE said: “Students, staff and visiting speakers will be able to bring claims to court if they feel they have suffered loss as a result of their free speech rights being unlawfully restricted.”
The complaints scheme has not yet been finalised and the government is still drawing up regulation to enact the bill. When implemented, it is expected to be administered by the Office for Students (OfS) — the independent regulator of higher education in England. Ahmed will become a member of the board of the OfS.
Susan Lapworth, its chief executive, said: “Freedom of speech and academic freedom are essential underpinning principles of higher education in England. Arif’s appointment will ensure they continue to be robustly defended.”
Claire Coutinho, the children’s, families and wellbeing minister, said: “We’re making history with the Freedom of Speech Act, ensuring fear does not undermine the rights of students and academics to debate controversial ideas and securing the right to an open exchange of ideas in universities.”
Toby Young, founder of the Free Speech Union, which advocates for freedom of expression, said: “[Ahmed’s] track record as a defender of free speech and academic freedom is exemplary.
“I’m particularly pleased the new free speech tsar is, broadly speaking, a man of the left. Woke activists on campus need to realise it’s in their interests to defend free speech, not just male, pale and stale conservatives.”
Worth reading in full.
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A bona fide man won’t cut it for the trans lobby. only an LGBTQ++++++(ad infinitum) will pass muster.
He looks very astute and meaningful, but are there no English people who could do the job?
Why is it that only Pakistanis/Indians and muslims/Hindus are capable of running Britain now?
I love the arms folded, distant glare off to the right! Ooooo, so kaiser souzai!
Haven’t you heard? All white people are racist, with no exceptions. And “white” people don’t exist. And neither does race. Do keep up!
Sorry Shimp, I forgot! . I must self flagellate to remind myself how f-ing prevaliged and racist I am! (Being white an’all)
Shame,shame,shame (Sound of whip on flayed back!(dulcet background bell ringing in the distance)
Much recent evidence suggests that those of a cowardly disposition are much less likely to take the piss with a bloke called something like Arif Ahmed than they would with one called Fred Bloggs. Or a lady called Jane Smith, for that matter.
That’s why the people wearing “Je suis Charlie” tee shirts ceased and desisted after about 5 minutes thought.
I know nothing about Arif Ahmed (although deeply sceptical about the majority of Academia, at present), but this just might be a wise appointment.
In theory, a professor of philosophy would, when I was a lad, be someone whose ability to think would be obvious.
Those were the days.
Is that Derek Zoolander?
OMG, I just can’t unsee that now….
“Toby Young, founder of the Free Speech Union, which advocates for freedom of expression, said: “[Ahmed’s] track record as a defender of free speech and academic freedom is exemplary.
“I’m particularly pleased the new free speech tsar is, broadly speaking, a man of the left. Woke activists on campus need to realise it’s in their interests to defend free speech, not just male, pale and stale conservatives.””
I am a bit puzzled by this. It’s certainly not in the interests of woke activists to defend free speech – their whole raison d’etre relies on suppressing free speech and thought. And why would we care whether this man is “of the left” or “non-pale” – surely the qualifications for the job are a sincere belief in free speech (vanishingly rare) and the ability stand up to bullying and advocate strongly for your position. Someone like Jordan Peterson. Or does TY think he would not be a good candidate because he’s male, pale, stale and conservative?
Apologising for male, pale, stale and conservative is not helpful.
Disappointing.
I share your views tof:
“Apologising for male, pale, stale and conservative is not helpful.”
Yes we need more radical, forceful, dominant white british leadership! (If that’s alright with everyone in the queue?)
True, I thought the British invented fair play?
God, I’ve known white straight males apologies to a chair for tripping over it! How much more thoughtful can you be?
Lol – “government” and “free speech” in the same sentence. Online safety bill, Ofcom, BBC Verify, covid. Anyone who thinks this government believes in “free speech” is deluded.
I must admit, he ticks all the current day value boxes! He’s not white and straight , or obviously British, so, he’ll be listened too without fear of being called racist!
Good pick Toby
“The Cambridge professor is the first to fill the job,”
The Cambridge professor is the first…? to fill the job,
I am not at all comfortable that someone tasked with defending free speech is in the employ of the government.This smacks of controlled opposition to me.
We already see problems when there is an overlap between legislature, executive and judiciary.
You’re on the ball Mike!
By the way, did you have a part bionic brother in the 70s called Steve?
Yes, Steve Austin. After the accident, the chief surgeon said, “Gentlemen, we can rebuild him back better.”
My brother was the first transhuman. I used to call him nanobrot.
That’s an islamic name -I certainly don’t trust him.
Yes, but what’s in a name? If he can do the job that’s what matters. I’m just puzzled!,why, in a country of 80% white majority, there’s no one of the majority who fits the bill?
Looks like they employed the wrong person then.
It is complete nonsense and pays no attention to the real sources of power. You won’t defend any view that goes against the interests of a multi-national corporation. The ‘defend all views’ crap is the same as corporate sponsorship of the woke agenda. They maintain supremacy and the politicians simply serve this. This isn’t deep stuff or rocket science it is an agenda that has been encroaching for thirty years.
I wonder if he’ll stand up for people who question the IPCC position on climate change and allow them to have a platform?
Does “ideological” bias training for staff and students include telling young children they have no future and the world will end in 30 years if they keep leaving the lights on and don’t shame their parents for having a petrol car or taking them abroad for a holiday?
Arif is great. I read philosophy many moons ago & had various lectures with him, including on Kant, where he memorably said – I paraphrase, poorly – that “many people think Kant is brilliant because he has difficult and obscure arguments. Kant is brilliant, but not because of that; he’s a terrible communicator.”
I’ve always taken that as a bit of a life rule – don’t think people must be clever just because you can’t understand what they say. It should always be possible to express yourself clearly. People who obfuscate are either dim, lazy, mendacious – or a mix of the three. (Bit harsh to call Kant “dim”, mind you.)
Anyway. Best of luck to him. He was always hugely popular with students, and formidably bright (even for Cambridge).
Claire Cotino thinks “We’re making history with the Freedom of Speech Act”. I would not dispute that. Sadly her government has already made history of the worst kind by actively suppressing freedom of speech throughout the pandemic. I
“The complaints scheme has not yet been finalised and the government is still drawing up regulation to enact the bill.”
So much easier to make law through regulation than have all that irritating debate in parliament. An opportunity for the civil service who now make most of our laws to twist it into anything they want.