Freedom of Speech in Universities: Islam, Charities and Counter-Terrorism

In 2018, the Joint Committee on Human Rights in Parliament undertook an inquiry (a summary is available here) into freedom of speech on campus, and identified a number of factors that require attention, including the impact of government counter-terrorism measures (Prevent) on freedom of speech.

This book authored by Alison Scott-Baumann and Simon Perfect combines empirical research and philosophical analysis to explore these issues, with a particular focus on the impact of Prevent upon Muslim students and staff.

Prof. Scott-Baumann also co-authored the 2020 Islam on Campus report.

It offers a new conceptual paradigm for thinking about freedom of speech, based on deliberative democracy, and practical suggestions for universities in handling it.

Topics covered include:

The enduring legacy of key thinkers who have shaped the debate about freedom of speech
The role of right-wing populism in driving moral panic about universities
The impact of the Prevent duty on Muslim students, students’ unions and university managers
The impact of and the Charity Commission on Muslim students, students’ unions and university managers
Students’ and staff views about freedom of speech
Alternative approaches to handling freedom of speech on campus, including the Community of Inquiry

This highly engaging and topical text will be of interest to those working within public policy, religion and education or religion and politics and Islamic Studies.

The Open Access version of this book has been made available under a Creative Commons 4.0 license.

You can access the book here.