Campus activism connected to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict has turned nasty in recent months, with a rise in anti-Semitism being recorded across the UK and a national debate developing over when anti-Zionism becomes anti-Semitism. Contentious Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) resolutions have been passed at Manchester University, the largest in the country, as well as at […]
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Student Rights on-campus in Durham and Cambridge
On Thursday 26 January, Student Rights’ National Organiser, Elliot Miller, gave a presentation to the Atheist, Secular and Humanist Society (AHS) at Durham University, focusing on challenging extremism and the Prevent Duty. Angelos Sofocleous, President of the Durham AHS, speaking after the event, said it was: “A very insightful and informative talk. It has definitely […]
Continue readingStudent Rights at UCL
On Thursday 1st December, Elliot Miller, National Organiser at Student Rights, gave a workshop on challenging extremism on campuses to around 40 students at University College London (UCL). The hour-long session involved a presentation examining the varied forms of extreme or intolerant speakers and groups invited onto campuses, and a lengthy question and answer session. […]
Continue readingStudent Rights on campus
Last week, Student Rights’ National Organiser, Elliot Miller, gave on-campus presentations in Exeter and Leeds focusing on challenging extremism and opening up debate on the Prevent duty. On 23rd November, Miller gave a presentation focused on the myths and realities of the Prevent duty at the University of Exeter Atheist, Humanist and Secular Society (AHS). […]
Continue readingThe Prevent Guidance: Preventing extremism or promoting prejudice?
On Wednesday, Student Rights attended an event called ‘The Prevent Guidance: Preventing extremism or promoting prejudice?’ at University College London (UCL) which was co-hosted by the law firm Bindmans. With a balanced panel and independent moderator in the form of David Anderson QC, the event was a rare example of a robust debate on Prevent […]
Continue readingStudent Rights at the University of Nottingham
Last week, Student Rights’ National Organiser, Gray Sergeant, visited universities across the Midlands, meeting up with students from the University of Nottingham, the University of Leicester and the University of Warwick. On Wednesday evening, Gray spoke at the University of Nottingham Agnostic, Secularist and Humanist (UNASH) about extremism and free speech on campus. Students at […]
Continue readingRight2Debate motion passed at Exeter
Yesterday, the University of Exeter’s Student Union (SU) adopted ‘Right2Debate’, a policy designed to protect free speech while ensuring extreme and intolerant views are challenged. Rather than banning speakers, the policy will require event organisers to balance platforms when speakers who violate the SU’s safe space policies, are invited onto campus. It also requires these […]
Continue readingMoazzam Begg challenged at the University of Exeter
Here at Student Rights, we have often highlighted the need to ensure extremists face challenge on-campus, and encourage students to debate speakers with extreme and intolerant views. Unfortunately, this doesn’t happen enough. Unbalanced platforms and hostile environments which suppress views different to the panellists often result in students’ voices being marginalised. On Tuesday, students at […]
Continue readingStudent Rights at the University of Newcastle
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of speaking at the University of Newcastle at an event organised by the Atheist and Secular Humanists Society. It was a great opportunity to discuss extremism and free speech on campus, and to showcase our work. Since starting at Student Rights, I’ve travelled across the country, speaking to students […]
Continue readingGuest Post: ‘Safe Spaces’, but not for Jews, Israelis or Zionists
Following the events at King’s College London (KCL) on Tuesday, former KCL student and Student Rights blogger Emma Webb gives her take on the issue. All views are her own and do not necessarily represent those of Student Rights… The ‘Rhodes Saga’ has brought ‘safe spaces’ out from the shadows of student politics into the […]
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