Tag: Students

Balancing Free Speech and Institutional Responsibility in England’s Universities

The Office for Students (the independent regulator of higher education in England) has suggested that students should be prepared to be “shocked and offended” at university as part of the educational process. This policy seeks to promote freedom of expression and open debate within academic settings. However, implementing such an approach poses significant challenges for both university staff and students. Institutions must not only consider the legal boundaries surrounding freedom of expression in the UK but also manage the practical and ethical complexities involved in fostering an environment that encourages robust discussion while protecting the rights and well-being of all members of the university community.

The first challenge for universities is that the UK does not allow full freedom of expression. There are many laws that limit what people in the UK can say, and these are often different from limits on freedom of expression in other countries. For example, the USA generally has fewer restrictions on freedom of expression than the UK.

UK laws aim to balance freedom of expression with other societal interests, such as public safety, national security, and the protection of individual rights. Some of the relevant laws include:

1. Public Order Act 1986

2. Communications Act 2003

3. Malicious Communications Act 1988

4. Defamation Act 2013

5. Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019

6. Online Safety Act 2023

7. Obscene Publications Act 1959

8. Equality Act 2010

Universities will have to consider whether the views that their staff and students express are in breach of any of these laws. Incorrect interpretation of the law by universities may expose them, and the staff or students expressing potentially illegal views, to legal action.

Beyond legal constraints, universities face additional challenges in enforcing internal policies. As responsible employers, universities will have policies to address issues such as bullying, harassment, and discrimination — particularly in relation to protected characteristics such as sex, ethnicity, and disability. Failing to protect individuals or groups could result in internal complaints, referrals to external bodies such as the Office for Students, and potentially legal action. The dividing line between what is legal and illegal may not be clarified until tested in court. For example, how does allowing students to be “shocked and offended” align or conflict with the legal duty to prevent harassment?

The government has not provided clear evidence that a major problem exists regarding staff and students being unable to express their views freely within UK universities. What we may see instead is an increase in complaints and legal challenges, which could consume significant institutional time and resources. Although the aims of the Office for Students may be well-intentioned, the practical challenges of implementing this policy are considerable. Universities must carefully navigate complex legal frameworks and their own institutional responsibilities to ensure both freedom of expression and protection from harm.

Without clearer guidance and stronger evidence of a significant underlying problem, there is a risk that universities will expend considerable time and resources responding to legal uncertainties and complaints. A more constructive and collaborative approach — one that supports universities in fostering open debate while upholding legal and ethical standards — may ultimately prove more effective in promoting freedom of expression within higher education.

Writing Your Student Essays and Dissertations: Some Tips on How to Do It Well

It’s that time of year when students are starting to enrol in higher education courses at universities and colleges. Every year, when marking essays and dissertations, I encounter numerous errors in students’ writing.

What are these errors, and how can you avoid them to make your dissertation more readable? Here are my top 10 tips for improving your academic writing:

1. Plan Your Outline

Most importantly, spend time planning the outline of your essay or dissertation. For dissertations, this means thinking about chapter headings and subsections for each chapter. Decide on the key tables, figures, and graphs you need to include to complement the main text. These visual elements should add value; they shouldn’t merely repeat what’s already said but should provide a different perspective or clearer illustration of your points.

2. Avoid Complexity

Many students assume that longer words are “more scientific” and thus preferable to shorter ones. For example, they might use “perspiration” instead of “sweat” or “haemorrhage” instead of “bleed.” Imagine if Winston Churchill had written his speeches in this “more scientific” manner.

3. Use Short Sentences

Shorter sentences are easier to read and help to ensure the examiner doesn’t miss the key points you’re trying to make. The same applies to paragraphs—don’t make them too long and look for natural breaks to start a new paragraph.

4. Choose Active Voice

Use active voice rather than passive voice in your text. For example, say, “I reviewed the literature,” rather than, “The literature was reviewed by me.” Active voice is easier to read, more direct, and makes it clear that you carried out the work.

5. Eliminate Superfluous Words

For instance, “based on” is better than “on the basis of,” and “even though” is preferable to “despite the fact that.” Eliminating unnecessary words gives you more room to present your work and helps you stay within the word count.

6. Use Clear Language

Use clear and professional language, and avoid clichés and colloquial expressions. These are seldom used in scientific writing and can be difficult for some examiners, especially non-native English speakers, to understand.

7. Master the Basics Early

When writing your dissertation, it’s not the time to be learning spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Most educational institutions offer writing assistance. Take these courses early in your program and invest in a good grammar and writing style guide.

8. Practice Scientific Writing

Many journals offer the opportunity to respond online to their articles. Use this opportunity to improve your critical thinking and argumentation skills. Working in a writing group can also be beneficial, as peer feedback can help you refine your work. There are also many guides available to help you improve your writing.

9. Study Good Examples

Read examples of excellent scientific writing to inspire your own work. For instance, consider reading “From Creation to Chaos: Classic Writings in Science” by Bernard Dixon.

10. Proofread Thoroughly

Before final submission of your work to the examiners, thoroughly check your spelling, punctuation, and grammar. You will be surprised how many errors can be easily caught with the spell and grammar check functions in word processing software.