Freedom of speech in academia - OfS research finds sex and gender hardest topic to discuss

[ArabellaScott]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c74z8l8vkx3o

'The issues most frequently highlighted by those expressing concern were race and racism, as well as sex and gender, with women more likely to feel unable to speak out.
...
Prof Jo Phoenix won a case for constructive dismissal with the Open University, and a tribunal found she had faced harassment for her gender-critical views.
She said she welcomed the OfS guidance, but said some universities might take more to change their workplace culture, adding: "It's like bringing a bucket of water to a burning fire."'

The polling from OfS:

https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/news-blog-and-events/press-and-media/ofs-publishes-free-speech-guidance-as-polling-shows-one-in-five-academics-do-not-feel-free-to-teach-controversial-views/

'Sex and gender is the top topic academics feel restricted discussing, and there is considerable variation depending on context. Perceived restrictions on discussing sex and gender are consistent across the political spectrum.'

As a bloke, that's my impression. Not in a lording it way, just observationally. From all I've seen, read and watched here, it's obvious that we brush things off more easily and are unlikely to be bullied over opinions.

I am definitely more aware of it in the real world, women apologising if I brush past in a doorway, or whatever. I try to make a point of saying it was my fault.

I think this probably reflects differernt experiences.

For one thing, I suspect on average women are more likely to be sensitive to perceived censure from other academics. In my experience a lot of male academics don't mind being controversial, they even cultivate it in some cases.

But I think the bigger issue is which areas of study have more women compared to men - the social sciences and humanities are very female dominated in many cases, and those are the areas with the most issues around suppressing ideas.

And with the specific issues around gender, more women are impacted than men.

We've all seen it. The students know they can go after the female staff members. If the students post negative comments online about them not welcoming men into their spaces, for example, they'll be hounded out. Male students shout and handmaidens support them (all masked up with banners held aloft). Thus, female staff are controlled but male staff are free to express opinions.
The Universities pander to the money students.