.png)
Dear Edinburgh University,
We as the Feminist Society recognize the right to academic freedoms, freedom of speech, and the entitlement of each individual to their own opinion, and their own interests. However, when we represent this University, then we also expect to be represented within it. We have witnessed the questionable speakers you have not only allowed, but encouraged, to set foot in the buildings we learn in, and we cannot let it go on any longer. We address specifically here your allowance of Dr Calum MacKellar, whom the Life Society has invited to this university to speak on Monday. Dr MacKellar’s hateful speech and opinions surrounding queer people do not disappear simply because the speech he has been invited to give does not concern those topics.
Time and time again, you have shown a willingness to platform speakers who promote hateful and dangerous rhetoric about marginalised groups, many of which students of Edinburgh University identify with. Our outrage at the presence of this speaker on our campus, amongst your previous film screenings and speakers, is not a question of academic freedoms. It is a question of your duty of care to your students, your willingness to promote hateful narratives, and your complete complicity in the discrimination of students in our own university. We have seen your active discrimination in your screening of the transphobic film in our lecture theatres, and your antisemitic speaker on our campus, amongst countless other instances.
Academic freedom is not about being able to say whatever you want whenever you want to. It is about the responsibility and power of credible and influential educational institutions to deem what should and should not be platformed in their environments based on their intellect and expertise. As an institution that prides itself on being one of the finest educational facilities in the world, it is shocking to see the number of speakers who promote harmful opinions being defended under the guise of academic freedom.
Our university campus is a place where we should feel safe, protected and, at the bare minimum, respected by our peers and staff. The fact that this seemingly can not be made possible by this establishment is frankly disgraceful. The existence of queer students and faculty should not simply be tolerated or allowed. We should be able to exist without question or hateful abuse being shared on our campus. As stated in your policy on Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression, ‘while exercising rights of freedom of expression, the University expects staff and students to do so in a manner that treats others with dignity and respect’. Despite not being the topic of Monday’s event, inviting Dr Mackellar and his blatant lack of respect for the queer and neurodiverse communities onto campus disregards this dignity and respect completely.
The lecture on Monday is not the first instance of this hateful prerogative being spread on our campus, nor will it be the last. We demand that the University stand up for its students and establish a system where external speakers are truly vetted not just in response to the Prevent Terrorism scheme, but also in line with the well-being of marginalised groups at this university. We demand the right for these students to be seen, heard, represented, and protected by and within our University. We demand an end to your active complacency in the ongoing discriminatory and hateful events being carried on across our campus and we will continue to demand this until you listen.
Preventing these speakers from entering our campus does not harm their freedom of speech. Sadly they are still more than able to post articles online, organise their own discussions outside of campus and spread their opinions elsewhere. We will not, however, tolerate these harmful messages in our learning environment.
Yours sincerely,
The University of Edinburgh Feminist Society
Further signatories
East and Southeast Asian Queer Society (EdiUniCorn)
Pride Soc
Amnesty International Society
Edinburgh University Neurodiversity Society
Ukrainian Society
Women in Politics and International Relations
Hands-On!
Polish Society
Edinburgh University Lithuanian Society
GEAS: The Roleplaying Society
Edinburgh Political Union
Sanitree
History Society
Girl*Up Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh Book Club Society
Sources: