The Joint Standing Committee on Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech (SCAFFE) has prepared a draft Code of Practice for staff and student consultation, ahead of submission to Senate and Council in 2025.

View the Draft Code of Practice on Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech (pdf).

Please email your feedback to Cláudia Moreira (c.moreira@kent.ac.uk), Vice-President for Postgraduate and International Experience, by 8 February 2025.

All feedback will be considered by Kent Students’ Union and SCAFFE, and a full Equality Impact Assessment will be conducted on the Code.

What is the Code of Practice on Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech?

The Code of Practice is primarily about the facilitation of free speech while ensuring compliance with the law and ensuring due regard to health and safety and the maintenance of good order.

The purpose of the draft Code is to restate and reinforce the University’s commitments to academic freedom and freedom of speech.

• Section 3 of the draft Code articulates the essential concepts of academic freedom and freedom of speech.
• Section 4 reflects the current legal framework and anticipates the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023.
• Section 5 makes explicit the actions which the University must take to ensure that those freedoms are protected and promoted.
• Section 6 and the related annexes set out the procedures for meetings and events on University premises. It makes clear the starting point for any event is that it should be able to go ahead; and that the provisions of the Code are the only process by which any restrictions in exceptional circumstances may be imposed. Sections 7 and 8 also include procedures for appeals and complaints.