Academics for Academic Freedom North West England

We are the NWE branch of Academics for Academic Freedom covering all universities in Lancashire and Cumbria.
Contact: [email protected]

[Academics For Academic Freedom @AFAF_freespeech]

FYI: @BuckUniAFAF @cakafaf @DerbyUniAFAF @portuniAFAF @CardiffAFA @CityUniAFAF @DubUnisAFAF @AFAFNWE @NEUnis_AFAF @LivUniAFAF @uwsafaf @SheffUnisAFAF @LeedsUniAFAF @AFAFatUNK @AFAF_QMUL @uclAFAF @DerbyUniAFAF @GlasUniAFAF @EdinUniAFAF @NottUnisAFAF @OU_AFAF @StudentAFAF

[Academics for Academic Freedom North West England @AFAFNWE]

@OU_AFAF Welcome!

[Portsmouth Academics for Academic Freedom @portuniAFAF]

@AFAF_freespeech @SheffUnisAFAF @AFAFNWE @DubUnisAFAF @DubUnisAFAF @AFAF_QMUL @BhamUnisAFAF @NEUnis_AFAF @AFAFatUNK @Afaf_Statement

[Academics for Academic Freedom North West England @AFAFNWE]

Excellent meeting today with our @UniLancs members, chats over coffee and lunch about frustrations and avenues for awareness raising.
If you are staff or student there or at @LancasterUni and are interested in freedom of speech for academics, get in touch!

[Edinburgh Academics for Academic Freedom @EdinUniAFAF]

Many universities, ours included, have based policy and practice on the authoritarian, thought-policing definition formerly peddled by Stonewall and other groups. Employees have been trained to believe any refusal to accept gender-identity beliefs as fact is transphobic. 1/2

[Academics for Academic Freedom North West England @AFAFNWE]

@hannahsbee https://t.co/BdjVOIZx6I

[Academics for Academic Freedom North West England @AFAFNWE]

We just received this email regarding @LancasterUni draft Trans Equality policy.

[Academics for Academic Freedom North West England @AFAFNWE]

@hannahsbee We've had a lengthy and unproductive discussion with the EDI department at one of the institutions we represent regarding our right to view and comment on a revised Trans policy from an academic freedom POV. Link below to our posts on the topic.

[Academics for Academic Freedom North West England @AFAFNWE]

@AFAF_freespeech @StudentAFAF @SpeechUnion @AFFSUK @Togetherdec I wonder who "a government source" was, given the recent Employment Tribunal findings in favour of civil servants (more than one I believe?)

[Academics For Academic Freedom @AFAF_freespeech]

‘ a government source said academic freedom mattered more than students not being offended, and there would be a proper complaints process in place.’ @StudentAFAF @SpeechUnion @AFFSUK @Togetherdec

Government to implement university free speech law https://t.co/HXdPhNaaPx

[Connie Shaw @_ConnieShaw]

See below an article that the University of Exeter’s @Exepose has written about me.

When asked for comment, the Exeter LGBTQ society said: “We are disappointed that Exeposé has chosen to platform someone with such hateful and transphobic views in this article.”

The author goes to great lengths to distance the paper from my ‘hateful’ views. Take this as a warning, GC Exeter students!

[Academics for Academic Freedom North West England @AFAFNWE]

Our branch is small but growing, and we are planning some networking events (OK, coffee and lunch) soon.

[Academics for Academic Freedom North West England @AFAFNWE]

I wonder if other branches can tell us - have you had any speakers on academic freedom and who would you recommend?
Apart from @ProfDHayes of course!

[Academics for Academic Freedom North West England @AFAFNWE]

@AFAF_freespeech @SheffUnisAFAF @AFAF_QMUL @BuckUniAFAF @portuniAFAF @LeedsUniAFAF @MancUniAFAF @NottUnisAFAF @CityUniAFAF @LivUniAFAF @EdinUniAFAF @BhamUnisAFAF @NEUnis_AFAF @uwsafaf @GlasUniAFAF @DubUnisAFAF @StudentAFAF

[Academics For Academic Freedom @AFAF_freespeech]

‘Universities were making progress on tackling free speech issues on campuses until ministers decided to pause the roll-out of new legislation, campaigners have claimed.’ @AFFSUK @AFAF_freespeech @lucaf_london @ComAcFreedom @StudentAFAF @SpeechUnion

https://t.co/5jaf4FEraj

[Aletheia @Aletheia_70]

Well quite. Tho is does leave me Wondering just quite what such academics are expecting? A walled garden where all the bad opinions (and people) are simply known and agreed on?

[Academics For Academic Freedom @AFAF_freespeech]

@BuckUniAFAF @DerbyUniAFAF @AFAF_QMUL @cakafaf @CityUniAFAF @portuniAFAF @CardiffAFA @BhamUnisAFAF @NottUnisAFAF @SheffUnisAFAF @LeedsUniAFAF @NEUnis_AFAF @AFAFNWE @EdinUniAFAF @uwsafaf @uclAFAF @DubUnisAFAF

[Academics for Academic Freedom North West England @AFAFNWE]

@lennysperson @TheAttagirls @WingsScotland @HJoyceGender We have yet to see Lancaster University updated Trans Policy but the previous one misrepresented the EA.

[Academics For Academic Freedom @AFAF_freespeech]

Over 200 signatures. Keep signing! @StudentAFAF @DerbyUniAFAF @SheffUnisAFAF @LeedsUniAFAF @LivUniAFAF @MancUniAFAF @BuckUniAFAF @portuniAFAF @AFAF_QMUL @CityUniAFAF @cakafaf @AFAFNWE @NEUnis_AFAF @EdinUniAFAF @GlasUniAFAF @DubUnisAFAF @NottUnisAFAF

https://t.co/wjWodE3PJG

[Michael Foran @michaelpforan]

This looks like the unlawfully discriminatory denial of service on the basis of protected philosophical beliefs. I would also suspect that such conduct would be relevant for accountancy standards of professional practice and may be a matter for the regulator.