Respectful disagreements

We encourage students and staff to be open, tolerant and respectful to other people's differing views. Here we set out our position, values, and what we expect from members of our University community to make sure that conversations can continue in a mutually respectful environment.

The University of Bristol is a diverse place. That's why being open to other people's ideas and being curious about them is so important to the way we do things.

We want every member of our community to feel confident in stating their own opinions and beliefs, provided that they do this in a lawful and respectful way that is aligned with the University's Freedom of Speech Code of Practice (PDF, 149kB).

We endeavour to provide a platform to facilitate discourse on contemporary issues by encouraging critical debate where the views of all parties are treated with respect, and individuals are not discouraged from expressing themselves freely within the law.

Diversity of thought, perspective and experience enriches us as a learning community. And higher education offers us opportunities to question our own assumptions and have our worldview challenged.

Our commitment

Our 2030 Vision and Strategy reinforces our commitment to free speech and academic freedom. It is designed to address the world we live in – a world which has seen confrontation and divisions amongst strongly held opinions become more heated and hostile.

Disagreeing with someone isn't always comfortable; but disagreeing respectfully and constructively is crucial to a healthy society. Being open to other people's views does not mean we have to change or compromise our own perspective: an agreement is not always possible, but the intent is to understand each other better. This is deeply rooted in our values, which underpin our Strategy.

We want our University to be a place where everyone's voices can be heard fairly, and where beliefs, free speech and academic freedoms are protected, so that we can 'disagree well' and engage in 'good arguments' that are respectful and centered on connection rather than division. This means promoting mutual respect and understanding across our University community.

How to have respectful disagreements

Balancing free speech with creating safe and inclusive learning and working environments can be challenging. It's important to ensure that all voices are heard when having conversations around sensitive topics like politics, religion, and identity. Although sometimes difficult, these are opportunities to build resilience, critical thinking skills, empathy and understanding.

Holding a different viewpoint, provided it's lawful, does not justify ostracising or shunning another member of the University. Constructive dialogue avoids creating a climate of fear, often perpetuated on social media, where people are hesitant to voice their opinions.

Our External Speaker Policy (PDF, 537kB) supports events on topics that some might find contentious or offensive to go ahead, in line with our firm commitment to freedom of speech. This guides organisers through the process and how to ensure events respect the rights of others to freedom of speech.

We recognise the right to peaceful protest and have a proud history of student activism at the University and in the city. However, it's important that such protest is lawful and does not shut down debate.

We encourage staff to complete our essential training module on 'Freedom of Expression & Academic Freedom' on Develop.