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OfS launches Sussex free speech investigation

Image: The Voice of Hassocks [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Regulator says it will consider whether university has complied with regulatory conditions

The Office for Students has confirmed it is conducting an investigation into the University of Sussex to look at whether the institution has “met its obligations for academic freedom and freedom of speech within the law”.

England’s university regulator announced the investigation on 16 November, although the OfS says it began in October and is ongoing.

Sussex has found itself at the forefront of a national debate over free speech on campuses after a philosophy professor, Kathleen Stock, resigned from the institution on 28 October following a student campaign calling for her to be sacked, and accusing her of being transphobic, something she has strongly denied.

The OfS investigation is considering whether the university has “complied with general ongoing conditions E1 and E2, which give regulatory force to the public interest governance principles for academic freedom and freedom of speech”.

It will also look at “matters relating to general ongoing condition E3, which places responsibility on a provider’s governing body for compliance with all conditions of registration”.

“A decision to open an investigation means that the OfS has identified potential concerns that require further scrutiny,” the regulator added. “The fact that the OfS is conducting an investigation should not be interpreted as indicating that any form of wrongdoing has actually taken place.”

‘Ability to disagree vital’

A spokesperson for the University of Sussex said that the institution had been “approached by the OfS, who are interested in our work on academic freedom and freedom of speech”, and that it was willingly assisting the regulator.

“We believe wholeheartedly that a vital part of a healthy university community is the ability to discuss, debate and respectfully disagree with a wide range of views and beliefs—and we take our responsibilities in promoting and defending freedom of speech extremely seriously, alongside our broader obligations to staff and students,” the spokesperson added. “It would not be appropriate to comment further on our discussions with the OfS.”

Although the OfS statement does not mention Stock, it does add that students are “entitled to be taught by academic staff with a wide range of views and who can freely express lawful views, no matter how controversial they are, without fear of losing their jobs or privileges”.

In October, before Stock resigned, more than 150 academics signed an open letter backing the University of Sussex’s strong support of her, saying the institution was acting to protect academic freedom.