Two announcements and an event
I hope everyone is well. I’m sorry there’s been little recent activity on this Substack! Two things have been keeping me busy. Both are relevant to this Substack and I thought I’d tell you about them.
Firstly, I’m writing a book and have almost completed it. This will concern the rise of social justice ideology and, like my writings on this Substack, will explain the emergence of the ideology through statistical analysis and theories of ideologies and institutions. I have an excellent co-author and we feel there’s space for a book which approaches this topic soberly and rigorously. With a fair wind, the book will be published within a year. I’ll tell you more about this soon.
Secondly, Cardiff colleagues and I have established the Cardiff Academic Freedom Association (CAFA). CAFA is strictly independent and non-partisan, existing only to promote academic freedom/free speech. Whilst I don’t speak for CAFA here, readers will know that I’m very sympathetic to this approach.
We’re having a launch event next week, featuring the ideologically diverse panel of Professor Nigel Biggar (University of Oxford), Professor Naomi Waltham-Smith (University of Oxford) and Professor Jo Phoenix (University of Reading). Unfortunately, this event has proved extremely difficult to organize. Cardiff University has declined to cover the costs of room hire and security. Fortunately, the Free Speech Union has met these. But the circumstances make us more determined to make the event a success. If you’re around Cardiff, please consider attending. We’d appreciate it immensely.
Have a great week and thanks for your patience. Very soon, I’ll write regularly again 😊
An English university would think twice about doing what Cardiff has done, given the OfS is consulting on freedom of speech and its Regulatory Advice 24 at the moment, and the regulation of new duties to promote free speech. The guidance even includes examples about provision of security at events. Given it has a government that postures itself as so progressive and righteous, Wales is quickly falling behind the times and appears increasingly authoritarian and oppressive at each turn. Wishing you luck.
Well done on both of these Thomas! I look forward to the book. Also I saw the press release from the FSU earlier today but didn't realise it was your event, lol.