Teaching About Terrorism: Heriot-Watt 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?

The University complies with the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) requirements. ATAS is a government scheme aimed at limiting weapons proliferation. Further information on the scheme can be found [www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/atas/atas-what/ at]. Information provided to students on pages 4 and 5 of the International Student Handbook is available on the University website [www.hw.ac.uk/registry/resources/ISA/HWUInternationalStudentGuide.pdf 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 University does not have such a review procedure in place.

• 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 such a review procedure in place.

• 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 is currently in liaison with Lothian & Borders police and the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), in discussing and preparing policies and procedures within the PREVENT element of countering any possible terrorist activity within Higher Education Institutes. PREVENT is one part of a four part strategy led by the UK Government to reduce risk from international terrorism.

Resources

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