Roger Mosey, the head of Selwyn College at the University of Cambridge, was somewhat chuffed. He noted the election of Lord Smith of Clifton as the university’s new chancellor. Lord Smith’s campaign makes the case for free speech and academic freedom. These values, Mosey believes, are fundamental in fostering the kind college/university environment where everyone can flourish.
Mosey, the former director of BBC television news, underscored the need for robust free speech protections. He thinks it’s more important than ever for academic institutions to do so. He continued that these universities should be bastions of free ideas and strongholds of academic freedom. He looked back over the last few years and observed that censorship of free speech at the University of Cambridge has been pervasive. The crisis requires immediate action.
As Mosey said, there was a time when all these communities were at their wits end. She wanted their freedom to be much freer than it was supposed to be in that time period. At least, he admitted, things were better. This transformation has arguably unveiled a much more transparent landscape of discussion and debate.
This summer, a great new law will go into effect. Specifically, it will place the onus of duties on English universities to ensure free speech and academic freedom. This change in legislation is a testament to Mosey’s conviction that universities should foster an atmosphere encouraging free exchange of ideas. It upholds the vigorous exchange and contest of different viewpoints.
At Selwyn College, the magnificent four-storey red brick buildings are stunningly draped in green ivy. Mosey is a strong proponent of getting students out of their comfort zone and confronting other perspectives. Through the course, he warns them that learning involves being faced with challenging ideas and concepts that you might find disturbing.
When students first arrive at Selwyn, I warn them that they will be exposed to views that might provoke them or that they disagree with. Why, that’s all part of the university experience! If a young person expresses an opposing opinion, I push them to stand up against those beliefs. He explained.
Mosey brought attention to a change in students’ culture in recent years. He proposed that students often felt unable to articulate opposing views out of concern they would hurt someone’s feelings. “I think that’s what was difficult three, four or five years ago,” he observed.
Addressing the broader context, Mosey pointed out a disconnect between university debates and conversations happening in towns and cities across the region. He noted that universities are a great incubator for these passion debates. The beauty of these conversations is that they tend not to happen for people outside of academia.
Now, as Selwyn College gears up to start another academic year, Mosey is hopeful that this new chapter marks a brighter future for free speech. He’s convinced that just as students need to, faculty do too, to have these challenging conversations with thoughtfulness and with care.
