Teaching About Terrorism: University of Cardiff

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?

There is no such advice published or in circulation, other than a reference to the Terrorism Act in the University's IT Regulations, s3 which may be accessed at.

• 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?

The remits of the University Research Ethics Committee and School Research Ethics Committees would extend to consideration of these risks in relation to specific proposed research projects - but there are no specific procedures in place for the Terrorism Act. The University's Programme Approval, Monitoring and Review processes do not consider terrorism legislation as part of their remit.

• 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?

The University does not have a specific policy. The University has a number of policies that set out processes that might be invoked if such an action arose including the University IT Regulations as above and the IT Acceptable Use Policy s5 and s7, which are available from the same web page as Q1 above. For any action taken in relation to a student the Student Disciplinary Code would apply. This may be accessed from the following web page.

The Staff Disciplinary Code would apply in relation to any action taken against a member of staff and this may be accessed at.

• 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 University has a number of policies in place in relation to promoting equality, diversity and good relations: Equality and Diversity. The University’s Dignity at work and study policy: Dignity at Work includes information about ensuring that behaviour and activities do not create an offensive or hostile environment which fits with Key objective 3 of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) guidance on ‘Promoting Good Campus Relations’: To ensure student safety and campuses that are free from bullying, harassment and intimidation.

The University aims to provide a safe environment for the discussion of religious and political issues as suggested in the ‘DIUS guidelines on Promoting Good Campus Relations’. The University’s Policy on Religion and Belief: Religion and Beliefstates:

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion and Freedom of Speech 7.1 The Religion and Belief policy should be read in conjunction with the Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech. The Code of Practice does not stifle lawful, legitimate criticism of, or debate about a religion or belief for academic purposes. However, it does take into account other legal obligations, for example, incitement to racial hatred would transgress the bounds of lawful speech. The University is committed to providing an environment where individuals will act in accordance with the right to academic freedom within the law and the University and its staff will conduct themselves in accordance with the University’s Charter and statutes (including Statute XVIII - Academic Staff).

7.2 The University is an academic institution committed to the values of open and rational debate. The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is absolute. However, any manifestation of beliefs has to take account of the rights and reasonable sensitivities of others. What is appropriate will depend on the circumstances but any attempt to bully or coerce others to comply with a particular belief system, for example through threats or may result in disciplinary action (see Complaints Procedure below)

7.3 The Interfaith network’s Code on Building Good Relations with People from Different Faiths and Belief provides advice on ensuring that discussion of religion and belief can take place in a way that allows respect and courtesy to be maintained.

This supports objectives 1 and 2 of the DIUS guidance:

• 1. To promote and reinforce shared values; to create space for free and open debate; and to listen and to listen to and support mainstream voices.

• 2. To break down segregation amongst different student communities including by supporting inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue and understanding and to engage all students in playing a full and active role in wider engagement with society

The University’s Policy on religion and belief also provides for the rental of meeting and conference facilities:

7.4 Rental of Meeting and Conference Facilities Inciting racial hatred is a legal offence that applies to words or behaviour that is threatening and intended to stir up racial or religious hatred. The University does not permit the use of its meeting and conference facilities for meetings or events that are aimed at inciting hatred towards any religion or belief group or towards anyone not sharing their own religion/belief. The University also does not permit the use of its meeting or conference rooms for inciting hatred against the wider community on the basis of religion, philosophical belief or any other reason. The University reserves the right not to accept bookings for any of its meeting or conference facilities if they are deemed inappropriate in this respect.

The University has engaged with the ‘Prevent’ agenda (Communities and Local

Government/Welsh Assembly Government: Communities and Local Government to develop an understanding of the risks for Universities and start to inform relevant staff of appropriate sources of advice and guidance.

The University (via the Pro Vice Chancellor for Staff and Diversity, the Head of Student Services and the Equality and Diversity Managers (Governance and Compliance Division and Human Resources Division)) has strong links with the Chaplaincy and the Students Union including links with relevant student societies such as the Islamic Society as suggested by the ‘Prevent’ agenda and the DIUS guidelines.

These arrangements support work under key objectives 4 and 5 of the DIUS guidelines.

• 4. To provide support for students who may be at risk and appropriate sources of advice and guidance.
• 5. To ensure that staff and students are aware of their roles in preventing violent extremism.

The University has also recently developed a Code of Practice for Photographic Identification providing clear guidelines on the use of photographic identification cards - when and how cards should be checked, including ensuring sensitive procedures for those wearing religious dress. This Code is currently still in draft form but is expected to be approved by the University’s Council shortly. The Code promotes a clear approach to checking identification of all staff and students in order to maintain a safe and secure environment at the University.

The relevant policies include:

• Equality & Diversity Policy
• Religion and Belief Policy
• Dignity at Work and Study Policy (currently being reviewed)

Resources

• Freedom of Information Results, Teaching About Terrorism: FOI Results
• University of Cardiff, Teaching About Terrorism, Response to FOI 1, Scribd