The University of Sunderland’s existing Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech from 2016 is provided below. The University has developed a new Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom, in line with the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 and the regulatory requirements it would put in force, which were due to be in place by 1 August 2024.
The University has paused publication of its revised Code of Practice in light of the recent government announcement that further work to put the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 into practice has been halted while they consider a range of options. We continue to work closely with the Students’ Union in relation to building a joined up approach to securing free speech on campus.