By Tom Henworth, Second Year, History
To older generations, the stereotypical appearance of a student activist - left wing and mop topped, clinging to a CND sign – is probably still rife. Though this image emanated from the 1960s zenith of student activism, it has not faded, even if the radical moment of that decade has passed by.
Indeed, it is easy to see why students, and higher education establishments as a stage for them, are so disposed to activism. Universities themselves are intellectual bubbles, fostering an atmosphere that actively encourages traditional ideas to be reappraised. Therefore students, surrounded by like-minded individuals yet equally charged by exposure to diverse perspectives, evidently have an understandable tendency to become animated by political or social developments. As long as universities are able to exist as autonomous institutions free from outside interference (and that is of course not a given), students’ proclivity for activism will remain strong.
I don’t find it difficult, however, to sympathize with the tricky situations that universities find themselves in. On one hand being a forum for debate has become an entrenched and often celebrated aspect of the idea of university itself. Yet they equally are obligated to provide scope to protest. With a swirl of views in constant interaction, and a student population more than eager to endorse or denounce them, this is an unenviable task. I’m sure we can, notwithstanding the strength of feeling attached to certain issues, be a bit more sympathetic when they get the balance wrong.
Although it seems to have become a charged word in recent times, my belief in the cruciality of free speech is unequivocal. Democratic society essentially rests on the principle that individuals possess the right to hold and subsequently express an opinion. This bears upon universities in particular as, being institutions devoted to intellectual development, the imperative of facilitating a wide range of views is absolute. If a university decides to entertain one viewpoint at the expense of another, then surely its essential function simply ceases? We should not shy away from perspectives perceived as unpopular, nor overlook their ability to be intellectually stimulating. Eventually, an echo chamber will make us all deaf.
Yet for me it does not automatically follow that the definition of free speech should be extended to encompass every possible position on a subject. The idea that the principle can render legitimate anything under the sun is frankly absurd and perverse. An unconditional extension of free speech inescapably comes at the cost of an individual’s equally crucial right to remain free from discrimination, defamation, or violence. It is paramount that these are safeguarded from free speech.
Of course, it follows that the right to hold and advocate a view should exist in tandem with the right to oppose one. Student protests have long fulfilled this, demonstrating an ability to give rise to considerable positive change. Students’ participation in the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott, as a celebrated example, helped end the colour bar to omnibus crews and illuminated racial discrimination nationwide. Though again, as in the case of free speech, student protest is rightfully contained by the law. Activism that amounts to criminal activity or disruption is simply self-defeating, as it demolishes the legitimacy of the arguments behind it.
'If we observe how activism can be fuelled by freedom of speech, given how the later brings a greater array of views to light, it becomes clear that they are not mutually incompatible but in fact facilitate each other.'
Needless to say, however, the reality is more complicated and nuanced than the rather cutthroat picture I have attempted to paint. When does a stirring speech become incitement? When does exaggeration become defamation? At what point does protest equate to criminality? These are just some of the thorny questions that arise at the confluence of free speech and protest, and the answers are almost never conspicuous.
But is student activism in 2026 dead? Far from it. Though I don’t doubt that, amid the anarchy of a social media world, free speech has become an increasingly polarised subject. Indeed, some corners appear to see new legal duties placed on universities that came into force in August 2025, aimed at safeguarding academic freedom, as an existential threat to students wishing to express their views.
This debate became particularly relevant in the context of Professor Alice Sullivan’s seminar in October; protesters gathered at her seminar ‘The Gender Wars and Academic Freedom’ led her to threaten legal action against the University of Bristol. Ms Sullivan felt that the University had restricted her freedom of speech and failed in preventing disruption during the talk, amounting to a violation of the new laws and further OfS guidelines.
Ben Gbadamosi
It’s a messy situation. While I personally have no time for Ms Sullivan’s views, she had every right to speak of them uninhibited. Students equally were entitled to protest; however, the University was correct to condemn the active disruption to the talk. The fact we may violently disagree with an opinion does not, in my eyes, constitute grounds to impede someone attempting to simply enunciate it. We can’t reasonably blame the prevention of this kind of protest on some malign law.
Ultimately, I feel we need to try and view the relationship between free speech and student activism from an alternative angle; one that doesn’t perceive them as inherently conflicting. We should see these recent laws not as an inhibitor to activism, but as a catalyst for it.
As I have already stated, in my opinion exposure to a multiplicity of views, through various academic or student voices, is one of the most compelling aspects of the university experience. Protecting an environment conducive to this makes activism more vital. If we observe how activism can be fuelled by freedom of speech, given how the later brings a greater array of views to light, it becomes clear that they are not mutually incompatible but in fact facilitate each other. As a university, we should not lose sight of the importance of both in positively animating our community.
Featured Image: Unsplash / Y K
Do you think student activism has been infringed upon by recent laws?
