UCU members to debate academic freedom with Minister

The debates, beginning tomorrow, have been organised to create lively discussion and share thoughts, ideas and concerns on academic freedom and free speech.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'Academic freedom is absolutely vital to any civilised society. With it comes social responsibility and a duty of care to students and fellow staff, which academics fully recognise.

'UCU members welcome the chance to hear the minister's views on the subject and to put questions to him regarding the controversial government guidelines and other concerns they have about academic freedom's key role in our universities.'

Mr Rammell said: 'Promoting academic freedom is the best way to challenge violent extremism. It is only by holding a mirror up to the views of extremists that we can expose them for what they are. It is the responsibility of all of us - institutions, staff, students and the Government - to foster shared values and promote good campus relations.

'These debates will enable me to engage with the people on the ground to debate academic freedom, as well as taking away new viewpoints and suggestions on the protection of staff and students. I believe that in freedom of speech and debate we have one of the most powerful means at our disposal to refute violent extremist views on campuses and promote a cohesive society.'

The academic freedom debates with UCU members will start in Brighton (Wednesday 4 June) at 6pm in the G7 Lecture Theatre in the School of Historical and Critical Studies, Faculty of Arts and Architecture, University of Brighton on Pavilion Street (opposite The Royal Pavilion). The local contact for UCU members interested in attending is Tom Hickey - t.hickey@bton.ac.uk or 01273 643303.

The second debate will take place on Tuesday 17 June from 6pm in Leeds at the Centenary Gallery off Parkinson Court in the main building at the entrance to Leeds University. The local contact for UCU members interested in attending is Sue Redhead - s.j.redhead@leeds.ac.uk or 0113 3435904.

The third event organised with UCU is in Oxford on Wednesday 18 June from 6pm in the Long Room in the Town Hall. The local contact for UCU members interested in attending is Bernadette Wheeler - ucu.president@ox.ac.uk or 01865 288472.

Any journalists wishing to attend should contact Dan Ashley on 020 7670 9705 or 07789 518 992 or via email at dashley@ucu.org.uk.

There are more debates planned for next term.