Teaching About Terrorism: Nottingham Trent 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

The Nottingham Trent University answered the four questions contained in the first Teaching About Terrorism FOI in the following way:

• 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?

The University does not have a µmodule review process similar or analogous to that established at the University of Nottingham. The University does not have a procedure for review or assessment of reading lists/teaching materials which explicitly considers questions of safety and risk under terrorism legislation; however, the University does have robust quality assurance processes for all of its teaching provision and further information on the University's quality assurance processes can be foundat.

• 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 neither confirms nor denies that it holds information falling within the description specified in your request and this email acts as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in respect to the questions raised at Q3 and Q4 of your email dated 26 April 2010. The duty in Section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 does not apply by virtue of the following sections of that Act: Section 24 (2) ± National Security Section 31 (3) ± Law Enforcement This should not be taken as an indication that the information you requested is or is not held by the University. In relation to the above Sections of the Act the University considers that the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing it. In line with all public authorities, the University wishes to maintain an ethos of transparency and openness and it is recognised that confirming or denying the above requests or providing information might encourage openness, accountability and informed public debate. It is recognised that there is public and media interest in knowing about extremism or potential extremism on University campuses, the extent to which authorities are aware of it where it exists and University processes. In addition it is perceived by the media that there is extremism in universities and confirming or denying the request or providing details may provide accurate information on this topic. Confirming or denying would also lead to additional scrutiny by the media and public and lead to the University justifying its decision to disclose or not to disclose requested details if held. The public may be made aware of close relationships between UK authorities and equivalent authorities in other jurisdictions. However, the work of the Security Services, particularly those in the UK, is to protect national security. In order for this to be achieved it is understood that the majority of intelligence led operations are and must be covert. It is possible that confirming or denying whether information is held or providing any information could reveal whether the University has been a national security focus and/or reveal individuals or groups involved or potentially involved in terrorism, whether or not police are aware of such criminal activities. It may make targeted groups become aware of interest or encourage groups to continue with activity they believe may be unnoticed. The balance is clearly not in the public interest to confirm or deny the requested information is held as to do so may trigger the negative consequences above and because a consistent approach to such requests is critical. The University cannot fully meet your request at this time, however, you have the right to appeal against our decision.

• 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 neither confirms nor denies that it holds information falling within the description specified in your request and this email acts as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in respect to the questions raised at Q3 and Q4 of your email dated 26 April 2010. The duty in Section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 does not apply by virtue of the following sections of that Act: Section 24 (2) ± National Security Section 31 (3) ± Law Enforcement This should not be taken as an indication that the information you requested is or is not held by the University. In relation to the above Sections of the Act the University considers that the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing it. In line with all public authorities, the University wishes to maintain an ethos of transparency and openness and it is recognised that confirming or denying the above requests or providing information might encourage openness, accountability and informed public debate. It is recognised that there is public and media interest in knowing about extremism or potential extremism on University campuses, the extent to which authorities are aware of it where it exists and University processes. In addition it is perceived by the media that there is extremism in universities and confirming or denying the request or providing details may provide accurate information on this topic. Confirming or denying would also lead to additional scrutiny by the media and public and lead to the University justifying its decision to disclose or not to disclose requested details if held. The public may be made aware of close relationships between UK authorities and equivalent authorities in other jurisdictions. However, the work of the Security Services, particularly those in the UK, is to protect national security. In order for this to be achieved it is understood that the majority of intelligence led operations are and must be covert. It is possible that confirming or denying whether information is held or providing any information could reveal whether the University has been a national security focus and/or reveal individuals or groups involved or potentially involved in terrorism, whether or not police are aware of such criminal activities. It may make targeted groups become aware of interest or encourage groups to continue with activity they believe may be unnoticed. The balance is clearly not in the public interest to confirm or deny the requested information is held as to do so may trigger the negative consequences above and because a consistent approach to such requests is critical. The University cannot fully meet your request at this time, however, you have the right to appeal against our decision.

Resources

• Freedom of Information Results, Teaching About Terrorism: FOI Results
• Nottingham Trent University, Teaching About Terrorism FOI 1 Response, Scribd