The ‘Choice to Challenge’ Extreme Views in the Classroom? Counter-Radicalisation in the University Context

Abstract

This is book chapter produced by two former Sheffield Hallam University students (SHU), in collaboration with SHU academic (Jamie Grace). Our scoping research project hints toward recommendation that academics should be placed under stricter kind of duty to discuss extreme and challenging views with students and colleagues, just as much as they are under duty to report concerning behaviour, or even more so. There already exists duty in 'soft law' terms to challenge extremism in the classroom and on University campuses. This is balanced with duty to have 'particular regard' for the need to protect the freedom of expression of staff and students in Universities, but is backed with the aforementioned duty to have 'due regard' for the need to take measures to prevent individuals being drawn into terrorism while part of university life. In suggesting that government should create strong(er) legal duty to both require and to empower academics to challenge students in the classroom (and to actually prefer this to triggering possible Prevent referral to the CHANNEL programme for de-radicalisation activities), and to protect their 'choice to challenge' under the law, we agree with Joanna Gilmore, who has called for classrooms to be a safe space for open discussion and debate in order to resist the harmful chilling effects of Prevent.