Oxford academic reschedules lectures cancelled after protests

A law professor who cancelled a series of lectures because of “disruptive protests” has announced his talks on “freedom of expression in the sex and gender debate” will now go ahead.

Michael Foran, an associate professor at the University of Oxford, is due to discuss themes from his book Sex, Gender Identity and the Law in the coming Michaelmas term, beginning 11 October.

It comes after Foran earlier this month announced he would cancel the remainder of his lecture series at Oxford’s Faculty of Law after protesters disrupted the second of the planned talks.

Foran had been preparing to present on the topics of “gender critical and gender identity belief” and “sexual assault by deception”.

At the time, Foran called the decision “deeply lamentable”, but said the disruption had “undermined the academic nature of this series”.

“Students shouldn’t face bullying or harassment when attending academic events,” he wrote, in a post shared to X.

The professor has since shared a statement by the Faculty of Law, outlining plans to host a “further event” in the series within Oxford’s St Cross building.

“The lecture forms part of the series on themes arising from Michael’s recent book,” the post reads. “The final lectures in that series did not proceed as planned last term, and we are grateful to Michael for working with the faculty to help arrange this further event.”

Emphasising the Faculty of Law’s commitment to “fostering rigorous academic debate and to supporting freedom of speech”, the statement outlines plans for a discussion period post-event.

It also acknowledges some members of the Oxford community “may wish to express disagreement” with the views shared at the talk, and adds that the faculty “supports the right to lawful protest”.

Foran added: “We have worked together to include an opportunity for critical engagement and dissent, within the appropriate limits of academic engagement. All participants will be expected to engage respectfully, to focus on the issues, and to ensure the event can proceed without disruption.”

The cancellation of the lectures prompted concern from the likes of Oxford chancellor William Hague, who said the series ought to continue as planned.

“Freedom of speech is a fundamental academic freedom and it must be upheld,” Hague said. “Equally, legitimate and lawful protest has an important place in university life. The task is to maintain both.”

Last year, the Office for Students (OfS) produced 67 pages of guidance on free speech on university campuses.

The document stressed that institutions are expected to take steps to support constructive dialogue on contentious subjects.

In a previous statement issued after Foran announced the cancellation of his talks, a University of Oxford spokesperson affirmed the institution’s “fundamental” belief in freedom of expression and academic freedom, as well as the right to protest.

georgia.luckhurst@timeshighereducation.com