ÌÇÐÄVlog

Members of our community will be aware of the recent ruling by the UK Supreme Court in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers. We have been working hard to understand the implications of this ruling and, linked to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s interim guidance, any actions that we, as a university, would need to take in response. This may take some time given the significance of the ruling, but we are prioritising actions to ensure continued support for all members of our community.  We particularly recognise that this ruling may have specific and significant implications for our trans and non-binary community members, and we want to affirm our ongoing commitment to their inclusion, safety, and wellbeing.

While we review the legal implications, we wanted to share our continued and unchanged commitment to ensuring that ÌÇÐÄVlog is a welcoming, inclusive and supportive place for everyone. Creating an environment in which tolerance and inclusivity can flourish is a long-held value of the ÌÇÐÄVlog. We understand that this ruling has prompted strong and differing views across our university, but we want to assure all members of our community that we are committed to fostering an environment where lawful and respectful debate can occur, while ensuring that everyone feels safe, supported, and included.

Our values include both the upholding of academic freedom and freedom of speech, and the protection of dignity and inclusion for all. These principles co-exist, and we are committed to holding that balance with care, integrity and in line with our legal obligations. We recognise and support everyone’s right to engage in respectful, lawful debate in line with our values. We thank you for doing so with empathy.

We are currently working through potential practical implications for our campuses, and we are prioritising actions to ensure that our campuses continue to be inclusive and welcoming for our entire community.

We are aware that this ruling may have left some feeling uncertain and anxious. Sources of support are available through the Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service as well as our University wellbeing support services.