Teaching About Terrorism: University of Chester

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 direct answer to the question is no. However, the University has policies relating to freedom of speech, acceptable use of computer facilities and teaching materials, dignity at work (harassment and bullying) and disciplinary procedures for staff and students that are invoked in many different contexts. These would be used, should the need arise, in relation to the activities you describe. The above policies are published as part of the publication scheme.

• 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 Faculty of Education and Children's Services has a CPD programme that covers teaching controversial issues and the PVE agenda. Further information regarding this short course will be published in due course.

• 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?

Following a recent foi request on these matters the University believes that to answer this request or to either confirm or deny the existence of any information relating to this subject could potentially leave the institution, its staff, students and other persons in danger of risk from harm from the types of groups that you describe. Moreover, it is possible that some of the matters that you describe may also be covered by the National Security exemption and therefore the University is also refusing the request on these grounds.

• 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’

On the whole the answer to Q3 holds true for Q4. However, you should note that the guidance to which you refer does not include any recommendations per se but rather includes a series of issues to consider out of which the University is currently redrafting its freedom of speech policy which will be published soon once it has completed the usual University committee consultations. However, the University continues to be cognizant of guidance from HMG relating to Universities on this and many other matters.

Resources

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