Teaching About Terrorism: Edge Hill University

Teaching About Terrorism is a 2009/10 research project funded by C-SAP, one of the Higher Education Academy's subject networks. The project aims to research the extent and nature of teaching about terrorism in UK Universities, primarily in the disciplines of Sociology, Politics and Criminology.

Freedom of Information Request 1

• Does your institution provide any information or advice to students or staff on any potential liability under Terrorism legislation which might result from accessing materials for teaching or research?

The University does not produce specific guidance on this issue

• Does your institution have any kind of procedure to review or assess reading lists, module descriptors or other teaching materials which explicitly or in practice considers questions of safety and risk under terrorism legislation as part of its remit?

These would be considered as part of the standard review process for validating all modules. Module Approval Process documentation attached.

• Does your institution have any system, policy or procedure in place for dealing with any potential actions taken by the authorities against the institution, its students or staff under Terrorism legislation?

Summarisation of procedures in the event of terrorist activity, explosions or bomb threats is available from the Universitys 'Emergency Management Plan' (attached), updated January 2009. Procedures for referral to the police; confirmation of zero discrimination tolerance supported by the procedure for taking actions against individuals as part of the Universitys emergency powers are updated annually in June and can be found in Edge Hills Student Regulations, incorporating our Student Code of Behaviour and Disciplinary Procedures (attached). Also attached is the Critical Incident Risk Register.

• Does your institution have any system, policy or procedure in place for 'preventing violent extremism' as recommended for example in the government guidance document 'Promoting Good Campus Relations'

The referenced document has been circulated. For students, we have a clearly articulated institutional standard of acceptable behaviour outlined in our Student Regulation (attached). To further raise awareness of the potential for extremist activity, the University has been liaising with West Lancs Police force and UCLAN as part of their 'Prevent' campaign and introduced a 'Be Vigilant' poster campaign within halls of residences. In addition, in 2010 the 'Not In My Name' production which is designed to raise awareness of domestic terrorism and commissioned and developed by Lancashire Constabulary was held at our Rose Theatre with invites to both staff and students. Additionally, Facilities Management Disaster Plan attached.

Resources

• Freedom of Information Results, Teaching About Terrorism: FOI Results
• Edge Hill University, Student Regulations, Scribd
• Edge Hill University, Critical Incident Risk Register, Scribd
• Edge Hill University, Response to Teaching About Terrorism FOI 1, Scribd