The Office for Students (OfS) has fined the University of Sussex £585,000 for failing to uphold freedom of speech and academic freedom. This fine is a result of a three-and-a-half year investigation into the university’s response to gender identification and transgender rights advocate Professor Kathleen Stock’s case. The professor resigned after being targeted by protests and reported feeling unable to freely express her views on the issue.

The OfS criticized the university’s trans and non-binary equality policy, stating it had a “chilling effect” and may have resulted in staff and students self-censoring. Stock herself mentioned that she became more cautious in expressing gender-critical views due to the policy. The OfS also found flaws in the university’s management and governance processes.

The University of Sussex has vehemently disagreed with the fine and claims it is disproportionate and politically motivated. The university is planning to challenge the ruling in court. According to the university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil, the OfS’s actions set a dangerous precedent and constitute serious regulatory overreach.

The university also argues that the OfS’s findings make it almost impossible for universities to prevent abuse, harassment, or bullying on campuses. It views the OfS’s stance on freedom of speech as “libertarian free speech absolutism,” which it believes would prevent universities from promoting respectful communication and civility among students and staff.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/mar/26/university-of-sussex-fined-freedom-of-speech-investigation-kathleen-stock