Teaching About Terrorism: University of Leicester

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?

No

• 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?

No

• 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?

No

• 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 relation to question 4, the University reviewed the Promoting Good Campus Relations document at VCAC (Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee) and was content with the University's position, which included:

• an emerging (now completed) single equalities scheme which makes a very clear statement about the protection of individual freedoms
• regulations concerning freedom of speech which open with the statement: The University regards it as a fundamental principle of its existence as an independent academic institution that freedom of speech within the law should be respected on its premises and in all its activities. No individual or body of persons shall be prevented from studying, or participating in any academic activity, or being invited to deliver a lecture, or delivering a lecture, or complying with a contract of employment with the University, solely on account of their political, religious or other opinions and beliefs.
• statements concerning harassment and discrimination, and personal conduct, also contained in regulations; the latter confirms that The University deplores all forms of intolerance and discrimination; and will take appropriate disciplinary action against students who fail to acknowledge the cultural diversity embodied in a university environment.
• a Code of Student Discipline which includes definitions of misconduct relating to racial and religious harassment
• strong and collaborative relations with the Students Union
• a monitoring system for external and Students Union room bookings
• an active security service and dedicated local policing.

VCAC decided that it did not require policies relating to good order to be brought together in one place, it was likely to be more effective to convey through the whole regulatory and organisational framework that good campus relations were a priority for the University.

Resources

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