EXTERNAL SPEAKERS

Imperial College Union will facilitate events that allow speakers to share their views and experiences while ensuring that differing, challenging, and opposing perspectives are also heard and discussed in a safe environment. This commitment is limited by UK law, which protects individuals and groups from intimidation, discrimination, and incitement to crime. 

As of July 2024, the updated Freedom of Speech Code of Practice applies to all ICU staff, students, honorary or life members, visitors, and invited guests. The policy can be found [here]. 

The Union as a Charity 

As a charity, Imperial College Union has specific duties and responsibilities when hosting external speaker events. In addition to complying with the Union's Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech, the Union's Trustees must ensure that events organised by affiliated student groups do not threaten the charity’s endowments, funds, assets, or reputation. 

Risk Management 

When processing external speaker events, we must evaluate any potential risks associated with the speaker’s participation and collaborate on mitigating them. We will make every reasonable effort to facilitate the attendance of external speakers at campus events and support students in this process. To ensure sufficient time for risk assessment and event support, all external speaker requests must be submitted at least 6 weeks before the event. 

When approving a speaker, we must consider the following risks: 

• Impact on student wellbeing, health, and safety. 
• Reputational risks to you, Imperial College, ICU, and our CSPs (Clubs, Societies, and Projects). 
• The speaker's history and any prior media attention. 
• Potentially controversial subject matter. 
• The reputation and possible motivations of any sponsor or partner agency. 
• Compliance with UK laws, including those related to discrimination, incitement, and intimidation. 
• Ensuring we are not perceived as providing a platform for illegal activities. 
• Alignment with our charitable objectives and the benefit to students. 
• The potential for the speaker's presence to lead to a breach of the peace. 
• The risk of violating the Union’s Free Speech Code of Practice or restricting the legal free speech rights of students, staff, or the public on campus. 

Escalation Process 

If a speaker is considered high risk, staff may escalate the risk assessment and control measures to be reviewed by additional staff, such as a manager or senior manager within the Union or relevant security and external liaison staff within the College. They will decide if and how the event should proceed. We may add conditions and further control measures for the event before granting approval, but we will do what we can to allow it to take place. 

Extraordinary External Speaker 

We are aware that the 6-week processing time does not easily allow groups to respond in a timely fashion to public crisis or goings on. If you would like to run a speaker event responding to a proven local, national or international event or crisis then please submit a ticket directly to the Student Activities Team and/or attend a drop in to discuss your event. Providing relevant staff are on site and available to assist, we will do all we can to help facilitate your event. Please note you should not advertise your event until we have approved the external speaker. 

Remember: You must obtain approval from the Union for all external speakers. Do not publicise your event or its speakers until approval is granted. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disciplinary action, including the cancellation or postponement of your event.