Teaching About Terrorism: Thames Valley 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 publish information but we do liaise with appropriate agencies in approaches to monitoring potentially inappropriate access.

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?

We have a process for reviewing such documentation but this does not explicitly address questions of safety and risk under Terrorism legislation.

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?

We would follow our standard staff/student procedures regarding a breach of the Code of Conduct. Although not specific to terrorism this would address any necessary actions. I attach the Student Handbook and Staff Disciplinary Policy

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?

In addition to the Code of Conduct we have a Freedom of Speech and No Platform Policy published in the Student Handbook (page 162).

Resources

• Freedom of Information Results, Teaching About Terrorism: FOI Results
• Thames Valley University, Response to Teaching About Terrorism FOI 1, Scribd
• Thames Valley University, Disciplinary Procedure, Scribd
• Thames Valley University, Student Handbook, Scribd