External Speakers

External Speaker Request Form

(You upload this to the event planner - for events with external speakers, the event planner MUST be submitted at least 4 weeks before the event. If you miss this deadline, it is highly likely your external speaker request will be denied.).

External Speaker Form

What is an external speaker?

External Speakers are defined as individuals or organisations that are not a member of the SU or the University.
External speakers are typically externals who are addressing students at an event such as a talk, speech, debate or similar event.
Sports coaches, or instructors for other activities are not considered 'external speakers', but you should consult with your relevant SU staff team to ensure you are being compliant.

Background

The Government requires universities & SUs to comply with a range of measures to ensure there is Freedom of Expression within the Higher Education system. There are several pieces of legislation that impact Freedom of Expression policies at universities and these lay the framework to ensure free speech is protected. Specifically, the University has an explicit duty in law (under the Education Act 1986) to take such steps as are reasonably practicable to ensure that freedom of speech within the law is secured for members, students, employees and visiting speakers.
Therefore, the University has a code of practice outlined in Regulation 18 to ensure compliance at Bath. Read more about the University of Bath's Freedom of Expression code of practice (Regulation 18) here.
The University's Regulation 18 also outlines that organisers of events are required to notify the University when planning any event that could be construed as ‘controversial’ (a ‘controversial’ meeting in this context being taken as a speaker who might reasonably be construed as having the potential to occasion protest from or give offence to, any section of the University or wider community, or constitute extremist views, or any speaker from a political party). If you are a student leader or group affiliated with The SU, you notify us by using the Event Planner tool.
There are a range of measures that the University can require of event organisers to ensure that events are safe, in the spirit of Freedom of Expression, and that any risks are mitigated.

Booking an event with External Speakers

All groups must use the Event Planner tool when planning an event, this includes carrying out any relevant Risk Assessments required.
Please note: If your event has an external speaker, the event planner MUST be submitted at least 4 weeks before the event. If you miss this deadline, it is highly likely your external speaker request will be denied.
There is an agreed Process between the University and SU to facilitate student groups organising events with external speakers.
Student groups must notify the SU of any events that involve external speakers (defined as individuals or organisations that are not part of the SU or the University) and submit an event plan giving full details of the event and the speaker.
No event involving any external speakers may be publicised until the speaker has been cleared through the appropriate processes as provided in this procedure.
An event may be cancelled or postponed if the procedures and/or Regulation 18 are not followed, or if the relevant health, safety, and security criteria cannot be met.
If you are planning a live broadcast of any type (which does or does not include an external speaker), as the organising student(s) you must ensure that appropriate 'defamation controls' are in place ('Defamation' is the oral or written communication of a false statement about another that unjustly harms their reputation). This may include considering discussion topics and potential vetting prior to broadcast. If you have any questions about this, please get in touch with you area staff contact.

SU Procedure

External Speaker Procedure

External Speaker Request Form

(You upload this to the event planner - For events with external speakers, the event planner MUST be submitted at least 4 weeks before the event. If you miss this deadline, it is highly likely your external speaker request will be denied.).

External Speaker Form

Free Speech FAQs

Why do External Speaker events need approval?

The Government instructs universities and their SUs to take steps to prevent illegal speech and enable all other speech.

Why does The SU allow External Speakers that can be perceived as problematic?

The SU must refer potentially controversial speakers to the University for their decision. In cases where the University is the decision maker, we can make a recommendation, but don’t have the power to say no. In cases where we are the decision maker, speech can only be limited if it would break criminal law. Most problematic speech does not break criminal law and cannot be limited even if we disagree with it. This is because the law protects freedom of expression up to the point where that expression breaks another law. Some of the criminal offences that may occur in relation to speech include causing fear or provocation of violence, stirring up hatred, causing a person harassment, alarm or distress. Ultimately the courts decide whether a person has committed these offences. For us to determine that a speaker is likely to break the law, we would expect to see evidence that an appropriate authority deems this to be the case. This is because views expressed in debate or discussion on matters of public interest are unlikely to be seen as harassment under the law, even if they are deeply offensive to some of the people who are listening.

What can I do if I have a problem with an External Speaker visiting?

Student groups and leaders can work with the wider organisation to run awareness campaigns, and we use our student group training to push student groups to be more inclusive and considerate. Elected representatives may speak out against events that they are unhappy with.

Contact Us

If you want to talk about the external speaker process in relation to your student group, or event you are planning, then please get in touch with the relevant support staff in your area (e.g. Societies team, Sports team, etc).

If you have any general queries about the external speaker process, then please email: SU-externalspeakers@bath.ac.uk