Universities in the UK face potential fines adn loss of funding if they fail to protect free speech and academic freedom amid rising campus protests, the Office for Students (OfS) has warned.
The intervention from the higher education regulator comes as universities grapple with demonstrations related to the conflict in Gaza, and broader concerns about the silencing of debate. The OfS has the authority to revoke university designations,impose financial penalties,and ultimately cut off public funding to institutions found to be in breach of thier legal obligations to ensure free speech.
OfS Chief Executive Arif Ahmed told BBC Radio 4’s Political Thinking with Nick robinson that the regulator is “ready to act” against universities failing to safeguard academics and students from harassment and intimidation. He specifically cited instances of threats from foreign powers targeting UK-based scholars.
“If your business model involves breaking the law, if your business model involves unlawfully suppressing academic freedom and freedom of speech at the behest of a foreign dictatorship, then you need another business model,” Ahmed said.
Ahmed also highlighted the importance of allowing controversial views to be expressed, warning that a failure to do so coudl lead to violence. He stated, “You must allow people to express their views on really controversial topics, as alternatively, there will be no alternative to violence. And that will be the abyss that we end up falling into.”
he revealed he had received reports of visiting foreign scholars directly threatening academics in the UK, telling them, “we’re following you, we’re watching you.”
“We can remove their titles to universities. We can fine them. We can ultimately cut off their access to public funding,” Ahmed added, outlining the powers available to the OfS.
You can listen to the interview with Arif Ahmed on the latest episode of Political Thinking with Nick Robinson on Saturday at 17:30 on BBC Radio 4 or on BBC Sounds.
