International Academic Freedom Day: AFAF and SAFAF Online Gathering
Sean Parker* gives a personal snapshot of the AFAF and SAFAF online gathering on International Academic Freedom Day 20 May 2025
“There is no university in the country that will be able to avoid talking about free speech,” said Professor Ian Pace, convenor of the City, University of London, AFAF branch, at the AFAF and SAFAF online gathering on International Academic Free Speech Day, May 20th. This was in reference to new guidance relating to the implementation of what is left of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act (HEFOSA) that will be published in June. The new regulations will compel universities to actively promote free speech.
Did you know the University of Buckingham awarded honorary doctorates to Margaret Thatcher and Lord Tony Sewell after they were ‘cancelled’ elsewhere? This was according to University of Buckingham Vice Chancellor, Professor James Tooley addressing what he called a meeting of “sympathetic minds”. Buckingham’s “maverick” spirit, in Tooley’s words, has led the way in pushing for institutional freedom, although there is always a niggling doubt that politicians will take them all back again.
William Mackesy, co-founder Alumni For Free Speech (AFFS), told attendees about the excellent guidance available on the Best Free Speech Practice (BFSP) website. Several attendees had not heard about BFSP – so do have a look at their website.
Members were impressed by Dr Lorna Love’s ideas about increasing AFAF membership and establishing and developing branches. She was making a start with building the North East of England AFAF branch. She, and fellow membership Officer, Dr Neil Thin, were ready to offer their support to all branches and members.
Astrid Elbers was, perhaps, the star of the gathering, first by appearing next to a blackboard (those were the days) and then walking home through what looked like a forest! She says that blackboards are still widely used in universities in Belgium. Astrid is the director of Hypatia, a group defending free speech and academic freedom in Belgium. Other international contributions came from long-term AFAF member, Andrea Seaman who has just set up the Free Speech Union Switzerland (FSUS) and Denis Roynard, the president of SAGES, who is writing a book on academic freedom.
There were short, four-minute presentations given by twenty of the academics, students, and affiliates present, each highlighting their own activities in defence of free speech and academic freedom. Jaiden Long, the new convenor of Student Academics For Academic Freedom (SAFAF) led the way, followed by Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge) SAFAF branch president, Rachel Cutmore. There were contributions from Dr Lawrence Patihis (Portsmouth AFAF Branch), Dr Tim Crowley, and Dr Gerard Casey reported from Dublin, Dr Shereen Benjamin (Edinburgh AFAF) and probably three staff rooms worth of others.
While the campus tensions between so-called progressive attitudes from experienced (and canny) staff and impressionable students continues, recent news from the Trump administration from across the pond and from the HEFOSA legislation closer to home are positive signs. What is more important is that the consistent organising, networking, and messaging of AFAF, and in particular its director, Professor Dennis Hayes, is paying off.
*About the author:
Sean Bw Parker MA (University of Bristol affiliated) is the author of many books including A Delicate Balance of Reason: Adventures in the Culture Wars (2024).
