Academic Freedom Policy

Advanced Programmes Policy

This policy outlines Multiverse’s approach to respecting diversity of opinion and freedom of expression for staff, learners, and external speakers.

Introduction

1. Multiverse adopts the principles of free speech and expression within its institution and beyond. Every Multiverse staff member should be confident in the knowledge that they have freedom within the law to express themselves, whether that is to question and test received wisdom or put forward new ideas which may be deemed controversial. This policy does not mean that hate speech or victimising speech is endorsed. The same principles apply to external speakers who are invited to participate in Multiverse events.

Guiding Principles

1. The guiding principles of our code of conduct are led by the Office for Student’s public interest governance principles:
   1. Academic freedom: Academic staff at an English higher education provider have freedom within the law to:
      1. Question and test received wisdom; and
      2. Put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions without placing themselves in jeopardy of losing their jobs or privileges they may have at Multiverse.
2. It is also underpinned by the Equality and Human Rights’ Commission paper - Freedom of expression: a guide for higher education providers and students’ unions in England and Wales:
   1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression within the law;
   2. The institution will always work to widen debate and challenge rather than narrow it;
   3. Any decision about speakers or events will seek to promote and protect the right to freedom of expression;
   4. Peaceful protest is a protected form of expression; however, protest should not be allowed to shut down debate or infringe the rights of others;
   5. Freedom of expression should not be abused for the purpose of unchallenged hatred or bigotry.

Associated Policies and Procedures

1. Speakers and Event policy
2. Code of Conduct
3. Platform Terms of Reference
4. Multiverse Staff Handbook
5. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Scope

1. This policy will apply to Multiverse staff and any external individuals who are appointed by Multiverse to sit on a governing body or invited to speak at a Multiverse event.

Academic Freedom Commitment

1. Multiverse staff, learners, and external speakers have the right to:
   1. Deliver training without obtrusion provided that the teaching is in accordance with the curriculum provided and in accordance with the required standards;
   2. Express their opinion about the organisation and educational system in which they work, provided that the expression of opinion does  not constitute libel, slander or defamation;
   3. Object to teaching something which goes against their best knowledge or values, or engages in methods which are contrary to the established academic standards;
   4. Put forward new ideas in regards to delivering the Multiverse curriculum or associated activities through appropriate internal mechanisms
   5. Question and test received wisdom and put forward new ideas and controversial and unpopular opinions

Restrictions

1. Restrictions apply to this policy if language is threatening the democratic rights and freedoms of others, or if the language has unlawful harassment (under the Freedom from Harassment Act) or hate speech (under the Public Order Act, Crime and Disorder Act and the Sentencing Act).
2. Anyone who is associated with Multiverse must refrain from all forms of discrimination based on race, gender identity, class, sexuality or any other protected characteristic under the Equality Act. Further details are set out in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

Enforcement

1. These policies will be included in the induction of any new higher education staff member.
2. The Academic Quality Council has responsibility for ensuring these policies are upheld and understood by Multiverse staff teaching higher education accredited programmes.

External Events or Speakers

1. As part of our community offering, we engage with external speakers and groups to speak at events. Multiverse expects visiting speakers to act in accordance with the law and not to breach any rights of others.
2. Unacceptable conduct  by an external speaker under the law includes but is not limited to:
   1. Violence or threats of violence toward another person or group of people;
   2. Incitement of violence towards any individual or group, including encouraging a person to commit suicide or to engage in self-harm;
   3. Discrimination related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, mental illness, neurotype, age, race, ethnicity, nationality, language or religion; this includes racism, ableism, transphobia, homophobia, or colourism;
   4. Harassment  of a person based on their physical appearance or body, or based on lifestyle choices and practices, including those related to food and health;
   5. Discrimination through the deliberate misgendering or use of names that a person no longer wish to be called;
   6. Hate speech;
   7. Inappropriate physical contact or sexual attention;
   8. Inappropriate social contact, such as requesting or assuming inappropriate levels of intimacy with others;
   9. Deliberate “outing” of any aspect of a person’s protected characteristics without their consent except as necessary to protect other members or other vulnerable people from intentional abuse;
   10. Sharing of a person's personal protected data without their consent;
   11. Illegal activity on Multiverse premises or at Multiverse events.
3. The Multiverse Community and Marketing Team is responsible for the organisation and marketing of events and speakers. If members of the Multiverse team believe there is any risk of misconduct from a visiting speaker, they must seek guidance from the Director of Community to ensure risk is mitigated and the speaker is appropriate for the event. Events staff are responsible for vetting potential speakers in line with the Events and Speaker Policy and setting expectations with them on Multiverse’s Code of Conduct and Academic Freedom policy.
4. Multiverse reserves the right to cancel any event and to deny an external speaker at any time.

Approval, Review and Ownership of Policy

1. This policy will be reviewed on an annual basis.
2. This policy does not constitute contractual terms and conditions. Multiverse reserves the right to amend any provision of this policy subsequent to appropriate consultation.

Version information

1. Written (name, role, date): Doniya Soni, Advanced Programme Lead 2022
2. Version number:
   1. V1
   2. October 2024 changes:
      1. Switched mentions of apprentices with learners
      2. Updated policy list with correct naming.
3. Last updated (name, role, date): Karine Frame, Quality Manager
   30/10/24
4. Last reviewed (name, role, date): Karine Frame, Quality Manager
   30/10/24