Students ‘want to dictate what they’re taught’
Academic warns of lectures challenge
A SENIOR academic has admitted that growing numbers of students want to attempt to dictate the content of lectures.
Sarah Smith, vice-principal of the University of Edinburgh, said individuals ‘increasingly want to challenge what is taught and how it is taught’.
At the university court, she said: ‘There is no doubt we are in an era when some of the long-established traditions of academic discourse are being challenged. Meanwhile, there is a greater polarisation of views in society at large.’
The university has been embroiled in controversies about freedom of speech and equality.
Dr Neil Thin, 60, a senior lecturer in social anthropology, stepped back from teaching after student activists claimed he had voiced ‘problematic’ views on social media and penalised candidates who challenged him.
The Mail revealed earlier he had been exonerated by a two-month investigation but said he would not resume duties until those who falsely accused him faced consequences for their actions.
Third-year students circulated an anonymous letter calling him a ‘rape apologist’ and a racist.
Sir Tom Devine, a historian and emeritus professor, has called for an internal investigation. He said: ‘An unacceptable and sinister culture has been allowed to develop in Scotland’s greatest university, of which the Thin affair is one manifestation.’
Last week Ann Henderson, a former rector of the university, said she feared for her own safety on campus after students falsely accused her of transphobia.
Dr Thin claimed there was growing support ‘right the way up and across the university’ for action to protect academic freedom.
He wants to work ‘to address the root causes’ of the problems, saying: ‘There will be strong pressure on the principal to do something.’
Dr Thin was targeted after he and other academics, including Sir Tom, opposed the renaming of the university’s David Hume Tower after campaigners highlighted allegedly discriminatory comments made by the philosopher in 1742.
Dr Thin also said an event with an area exclusively for people of colour was guilty of ‘segregation’.
Ms Smith said she was ‘very concerned’ by media reports, including coverage of Dr Thin’s case.
She said: ‘It is our duty to ensure that our university is a safe space for staff and students to discuss controversial topics and that different viewpoints are respected, but where complaints are made we have a responsibility to take them seriously.’
Ms Smith insisted the university took a strong stance against ‘no platforming’ – banning external individuals with controversial views from speaking on campus.
The university said it strongly supported freedom of speech and academic freedom.
Scottish Tory education spokesman Oliver Mundell said: ‘Free speech must be protected and it is encouraging to see our world-class universities acknowledging that.’
‘A sinister culture has developed’