English regulator’s free speech data ‘not the full story’

The proportion of speakers or events cancelled by universities decreased last year, figures suggest, although the English regulator cautioned that the data does not tell the full story.

Figures from the Office for Students (OfS) show that 31,545 speakers or events were approved to be held in English universities and colleges – with about 260 not taking place.

This was up from 195 in 2020-21, and the most since comparable records began in 2017-18.

But it means 0.8 per cent of all events or speakers were rejected – down from 1 per cent the previous year.

The OfS highlighted that the country was subject to various restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020-21, which had been largely removed for the 2021-22 reporting period.

David Smy, director of monitoring and intervention at the OfS, welcomed the data showing the overwhelming majority of events with external speakers went ahead as planned, but cautioned that the figures may not show the full picture.

“The data does not capture decisions not to invite speakers in the first place or voluntary withdrawal of requests for approval,” he said.

“We recognise that this could be masking cases where event organisers or speakers feel unable to proceed with the event they had planned.”

Of the 260 events or speakers that were rejected, 220 were for reasons related to procedural matters, 25 for health and safety and 15 for other matters.

The figures also showed that a further 475 events or speakers went ahead subject to some form of mitigation.

Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, said he was pleased to see the OfS adding a caveat to the figures, because this data set has been “regularly exaggerated” in importance.

“University governors will soon have a duty to promote free speech and they should be starting to think about this now, not waiting till the next academic year,” he said.

“Most vice-chancellors I meet are firmly committed to free speech and this is one area where the regulator can actively support them by providing a new backstop.”

Previous Hepi research has shown that students today appear to be a lot less supportive of free speech than they were six years ago.

Josh Freeman, a researcher who has studied the issue of free speech, said the falling percentage of rejected speakers mostly reflects a substantial increase in total events recorded.

And he said the breakdown of data explains very little about why speakers were rejected, with “procedural reasons” covering trivial administrative reasons, or potentially more serious issues.

As a result of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill receiving Royal Assent on 11 May, the OfS will be taking on new powers related to free speech.

“We have a range of powers to intervene if we identify concerns that universities and colleges are rejecting invited speakers who wish to express lawful views, even if those views are challenging or seen as offensive by some,” added Mr Smy.

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com