Universities must remain places where “contentious views can be openly discussed”, University of Oxford academics have warned.
It comes amid a row over the invitation of gender-critical academic Kathleen Stock to take part in a debate.
The letter, signed by 44 academics and published in the Telegraph, stated the signatories represent left and right viewpoints.
It said the group “wholeheartedly condemn” the students’ union split with the 200-year-old Oxford Union debating society.
High profile names on the letter include evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins.
Speaking to the BBC, one of the signatories Dr Michael Biggs, associate professor of sociology at University of Oxford, said he had signed the letter because he is a “strong believer in academic freedom of speech”.
He said it was “under threat” as there is “an emerging body of students who have learnt that anybody who has a view that is not their own is hateful and bigoted, and doesn’t deserve any opportunity to speak”.
Responding to the letter, Prof Stock said she was “very pleased to see there are still those at Oxford University who understand the value of upholding academic freedom, and are prepared to demonstrate this important value in public”.
Source: Kathleen Stock: Oxford professors sign free speech letter in gender row – BBC News