Claire Fox at our Annual Conference
Baroness Claire Fox spoke at the opening of our annual conference:
Grassroots campaigns really matter. Which is why I am here. AFAF AND SAFAF really matter.
HEFOSA was hard to get through parliament to start with, and then Bridget Phillipson’s delaying tactics nearly scuppered it – certainly watered it down. But -Phew- we did it!
Universities now must actively promote free speech – What’s not to like?
However, University managers like nothing more than writing long guidance documents. But the danger here is that academic freedom gets reduced to a set of bureaucratic procedures and lots of paper policies. But the culture of ‘You can’t say that!’ still exists.
The law change may mean that Uni HR departments may drop Stonewall and change the EDI style language it uses, but will not challenge a censorious culture. Laws are often seen as the bulwark of free speech but we need on the ground campaigns like AFAF and SAFAF to ensure that free speech is allowed.
Academics are sometimes disciplined for being too academic. Peter Pormann, a Classics professor and philologist, whose expertise is in words and language was supporting a colleague at a staff meeting. Students had complained about his colleague using the word ‘bitch’. Pormann explained how the use of words – making an intellectual point -need to be seen in context. He described how the use of the ‘N word’ changed overtime. Ignoring the context/use distinction he was suspended.
No students were involved in the Pormann case, but at Abertay University, the case of criminologist Stuart Waiton, whose academic work focusses on miscarriages of justice and problems in the Scottish legal system, has involved student complaints.
In the Scottish legal system, the suppression of evidence in some rape trails is a real problem. It is part of Waiton’s academic work and has even been cited by the university as evidence of important research. But now – after an activist campaign against Waiton’s invitation to a speaker from a grassroots campaign for fairness for the accused in rape trails – the academic is being hounded and fears for his job, accused of being a ‘rape apologist’.
Waiton’s is a hard case, the Pormann case is ridiculous, but the message in both case is ‘bite your lip’ – don’t challenge those who would make you conform to ideas.
The Climate of fear still exists in universities.
On the climate of fear, I want to commend the FEARLESS. A special tribute goes out to AFAF member, Michael Ben Gad, for being so inspiring in standing his ground and continuing to teach at City St Georges. Despite massive intimidation, he continued with his vocation – to educate! And my I also commend his colleague – Ian Pace – for his support and perceptive writing about Michael’s situation, allowing us all to understand the details and nuance of the case.
Let me finish with a warning. We have got used to the student types, and academics, who shut down debate – whether they are trans allies or pro-Palestine activists – but there are new kids on the block – right wing individuals and groups who use cancel culture to silence those who they disagree with. They equally believe in free speech for me but not for thee. So, LET’S BE VIGILANT AND FEARLESS and challenge any partial, one-sided approach. Let’s ensure that we are fighting for free speech for all and that must take place on the ground. That is why AFAF and SAFAF are so important.
Photo Credits: Ruth Mieschbuehler
