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.”
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As a fan of live theatre myself (so different and much more fulfilling than watching screens all the time), I’m heartened to read this review. I’ve seen several excellent plays since theatres re-opened after Covid, none of which had any hint of wokeness, in contrast to how so much of the BBC’s output is boringly infused with wokeness these days.
I saw a Martin McDonagh play recently in which a male character was played by a ‘non-binary’ actor. She was brilliant in the role. She might have mixed feelings about me saying, “She was brilliant”, she might want me to say, “They was brilliant”, or should it be, “They were brilliant”? – but as there was only one of them, why would I use a verb in the plural? I’m sticking with “She was brilliant”!
You know the woke madness hasn’t gone away when you go to a theatre and see a bowl of free tampons in the men’s toilet but none in the three unisex disabled toilets (Lyric Theatre Belfast). Or see a casting call for a female-only production asking for “female/female identifying” applicants.
But it seems to me that in the world of theatre, enthusiasm for wokeness is coming only from the top and from the usual LGBTQIA+ suspects.
There are very few stage actors who have spoken out against the current extreme trans ideology, but also very few who have spoken out in favour of it.
Off- T
German government forced to admit there was NO pandemic following FOI.
https://www.globalresearch.ca/german-government-admits-there-was-no-pandemic/5853916
Thanks for your brilliant review of the HTTC production Jack. It makes me wish I was still travelling around the North of England in my previous job. I could then get a train over to Hull and watch it. Incidentally, I think it’s rude of people to post about unrelated issues buts it’s all too common on here. You know who you are. If you really feel the need to post about the pandemic there are plenty of open threads to use.
I have read a number of articles by this young man even though I am not interested in football because he is so good at reviews. This review makes me want to travel 350+miles South to see this show and just shows what a great future Jack has.
I’m glad you enjoyed the show, Jack. I was 25 years in theatre in Mid-Wales and Hull Truck toured to us regularly. Always great shows, no preaching, and a favourite with our audiences.
Good to hear they are still producing shows as I believe they went through a difficult period financially.
To describe woke doctrine as gobbledegook is to mischaracterise it as something silly when it is actually not silly but malign.
Malign actors doing silly stuff doesn’t make it any less silly.