Freedom of Speech

The candidates for the Chancellorship of Cambridge University were sent a series of questions on academic freedom and freedom of speech by Alumni for Freedom of Speech. A summary of some of my answers is below.

Are there problems with Freedom Speech in UK Universities?

In the UK today, it is often the political right that are most articulate about the importance of freedom of speech. However, there is a long-standing tradition of defence of freedom of speech on the left, including John Stuart Mill, Noam Chomsky, George Orwell, Rosa Luxemburg and John Mortimer.

Censorship rarely stays confined to one’s political enemies. For example, powers used to silence the far-right today may be used tomorrow against environmentalists or anti-war activists. Freedom of speech is not a protection for the powerful — it is a shield for the powerless.

Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of academic life and essential to the mission of universities as spaces for learning and inquiry. A university is a place where diverse ideas, perspectives, and arguments can be openly explored and debated—even when they are controversial or against orthodoxy (a point made in Isaiah Berlin’s book ‘Against the Current’).

Let’s look at two recent examples of violations of academic freedom from UK Universities.

Prof Jo Phoenix, a criminologist at the Open University, held gender-critical views — specifically, that sex is biological and cannot be changed. After expressing these views, in relation to prison policy and academic freedom, Prof Phoenix was subjected to a campaign of vilification by colleagues, including having events disrupted and experiencing a hostile work environment. In 2024, an Employment Tribunal ruled comprehensively in her favour, finding that the Open University failed to protect her freedom of expression and allowed a culture of intimidation to develop.

Prof David Miller, a sociologist at Bristol University, was dismissed in 2021 after making statements about Zionism and Israel. Miller claimed that Zionism was a racist ideology and accused Jewish student groups of being part of a “Zionist lobby”. This led to complaints of anti-semitism. Miller argued that his statements were legitimate academic critique of Israel and Zionism, protected under freedom of speech and academic freedom. An Employment Tribunal ruled that Miller had been unfairly and wrongfully dismissed by the University of Bristol, and that his anti‑Zionist beliefs qualified as a philosophical belief protected under the UK Equality Act (2010).

In both cases, the Employment Tribunals laid stress on the obligation of employers to ensure that staff can feel confident in expressing their views. This is true whether or not one agrees with the views of Prof Phoenix or Prof Miller.

How do you think Cambridge performs?

Young scholars often find grant applications can be blocked or hindered by Heads of Department, compromising the principles of academic freedom that we hold so dear. The motivation here is very often academic jealousy or the desire to assert or gain control over grants. Sometimes, Heads of Department will refuse to permit grants to go forward, unless changes are made to the proposal, including their names added as co-investigators.

Human Resources (HR) departments and the central administration wield considerable power. Academics critical of the direction of the university can often face retaliation, with grants blocked or promotion denied.   A shocking example is provided by the events described here. The University commissioned an independent report by a barrister into bullying events at its Institte of Astronomy. Several staff members pulled out of providing testimony to the barrister over “fears they would face retaliation” (a direct quote from the barrister’s report). In other words, staff feared to say what had happened to them, lest HR or central administration retaliate. 

It strikes at the very heart of a university if academics are frightened of speaking up because of retaliation.

There are also many YouTube videos on the Cambridge University channel on which comments are disabled and it’s not possible to downvote the video, it’s only possible to upvote. This is a clear infringement of free speech. There is an example at this link. It’s especially concerning, as the subject of the video is precisely how we treat one another with courtesy and professionalism, even while robustly challenging each other’s views and opinions.

Yet, unbelievably, comments are censored. None of the participants in the video (which include Ms Emma Rampton, Prof Kamal Munir, Prof Nigel Peake and Prof Anne Ferguson-Smith) seem to recognise the contradiction.

How would you fix the problems?

Appointing a senior, experienced and independent officer responsible for promoting free speech and academic freedom is a vital step.

As part of my manifesto, I have called for the appointment of a University Ombudsman here. I have urged my fellow Chancellorship candidates to support this proposal and to pledge proper funding for the Ombudsman’s office. The Ombudsman’s role must be powerful, not tokenistic. It must have clear authority and independence from other University officers — including the Registrary, the Academic Secretary, the HR Director and the pro-Vice Chancellors.

If it’s just a symbolic appointment, it won’t change institutional behaviour or protect free speech or prevent bullying and harassment or look at other serious abuses.

Will you actively advocate for and support free speech protection and academic freedom as Chancellor?

I consider a proven commitment to free speech and academic freedom as a core requirement for all senior appointments. Anything less would compromise the essence of what Cambridge stands for.

In my campaign against bullying at the 21 Group (at significant personal and professional cost), I have already shown enormous commitment to safeguarding others with protected beliefs or characteristics.

No other candidate for the Chancellorship has assumed a direct and personal responsibility for this, to my knowledge.

Prof Wyn Evans (Institute of Astronomy)