Heather McKee is the Chair of the Student Academic Council for Academic Freedom (SAFAF). She is completing a Master's degree in Psychology at the University of Glasgow. Heather founded Student Academics for Academic Freedom. Science for academic freedom The group brings together students who feel freedom of speech and academic freedom is being eroded at British universities to campaign against it. AFAF and SAFAF believe in free speech for everyone, no ifs or buts. Please consider signing AFAF academic freedom statement.
Diane and Heather AFAF Annual Conference In November 2024, Diane gave a short invited talk on academic mobbing and cancellation, and Heather Serve as a member of the student committee.
In this discussion, they explored the causes and effects of restricting students' freedom of speech and unrestricted exploration of ideas in British and Irish universities. Students who question or oppose current trends, such as equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and curriculum decolonization (disruption), do so for fear of jeopardizing their education and future. , do not feel safe speaking out on campus.
Connie Shaw suspended Statements from Leeds University student radio following an interview with a gender 'de-transitioner' illustrate the legitimate concerns of students. Along with Heather, Connie is also a member of SAFAF and spoke at the AFAF Annual Conference. Related to Connie's gender-critical views, Diane and Heather discuss the regressive nature of transgender ideology and how it has set back the hard-won progress of women in higher education. We discussed. Diane remembered her. Inspiring speeches from academic heroines About this battle.
AFAF publishes open letter It called on Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to urge the Labor government to implement the remaining provisions of the Higher Education (Free Speech) Act (HEFOSA), which were due to come into force on 1 August 2024. Mr. Phillipson suspended implementation of the HEFOSA even though consent had already been obtained. Royal assent was obtained under the Conservative government. Due to backlash from groups such as AFAF and the Free Speech Coalition, Phillipson recently reinstated this law.But she added restrictions, including removing the tort element from academics and students who want to complain about their free speech rights being suppressed by their universities.
update: UK Column recorded this interview in December 2024. Diane resigned from her academic position as full professor on January 14, 2025, after formal complaints, disciplinary investigations, “performance improvement” plans, and forced mediation were filed against her in the past. 2 years for her ideological and professional views. Diane is now a permanent member of the UK Column team, dedicated to exposing corruption in institutions.
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