We engage our members in weekly debate sessions, in which we address a wide range of topics that are core to ensuring academic freedom and free speech across UK higher education and wider society.
As we are a non-partisan society, we encourage members to learn how to effectively advocate for their views as well as build tolerance and resilience when faced with opposing views. We at ODS believe that even if one disagrees with what another says, one should still defend the other’s right to say it.
Our weekly meetings consist of alternating informal open forum discussions and formal debates, with the topic of the week announced in advance.
In addition to our weekly meetings, we aim to regularly invite guest speakers to not only hold talks and panel discussions about topics related to free speech, but also others such as politics, the law, culture and academia.
We also aim to go on trips with members to attend events and conferences to observe academics debate about hot topic issues in academia and those with wider free speech implications, offering fantastic networking opportunities.
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