The freedom of academic staff to express themselves and the role of universities in shaping culture have come into sharp focus in the UK, with significant implications for Australian tertiary institutions.
The UK’s powerful Office for Students has fined the University of Sussex £585,000 ($A1.23m) for failing to uphold freedom of speech and academic freedom in relation to Kathleen Stock, a philosophy professor who resigned in 2021 after protests over her views on transgender rights.
Professor Stock said she had become cautious about expressing or teaching material relating to her views, despite them being lawful, given the University’s policies which required course materials to “positively represent trans people.” The policy stated that “transphobic propaganda … will not be tolerated”.
Campus protests arose after she published a book questioning the significance of gender identity.
The University hit back at the decision, launching an appeal, arguing that the fine was excessive and the decision would open the flood gates to bullying, harassment and/or abuse on campus. The regulator in the meantime is engaging with other universities in relation to policies addressing freedom of speech. She resigned due to a backlash from students, colleagues and the university.
The case has prompted widespread concern amongst UK universities, due to both the intervention into operations and the scale of the fine. It follows an extensive and widely-publicised campaign by the Trump Administration, withdrawing funding from universities perceived to be supporting transgender athletes and abolishing diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
The international cases have already had echoes in the Australian Federal election campaign, with the Campaign running strongly against ‘woke agendas’ of universities.
During last week’s election debate Mr Dutton said State education funding should be made conditional on focusing on curriculum and “not to be guided into some sort of agenda that’s come out of universities.
“I think there is a lot of work to do… that’s a debate we need to hear more from parents on, I think there is a silent majority across this community.”
Mr Dutton has made a number of other comments about the importance of avoiding woke agendas in education. “I want young Australians going to school to get the best education they possibly can, I don’t want them to be indoctrinated according to their views of the lecturer at university. I want our kids to be taught according to community beliefs and standards,” Mr Dutton has said.
