Events

Free speech on campus

Hosted by the London School of Economics and Political Science

In-person public event (Shaw Library, 6th floor, Old Building)

Speaker

Professor Cass R. Sunstein

Professor Cass R. Sunstein

Chair

Professor Larry Kramer

Professor Larry Kramer

Join us for this lecture by New York Times bestselling author Cass R. Sunstein in which he will argue that universities should broadly protect freedom of speech.

Speech should never be restricted or punished because some people find it illogical, distasteful, cruel, offensive, upsetting, wrong-headed, foolish, irreverent, or nonsensical. To promote learning, universities should seek to promote safe spaces not for feelings, but for a wide range of ideas. Universities are democracy’s greatest arsenal. They do not need the unanimity of the graveyard. They need the noisy, teeming pluralism of living communities that search for truth.

Meet our speaker and chair

New York Times bestselling author Cass R. Sunstein (@CassSunstein) is Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard, as well as founder and director of the Program on Behavioral Economics and Public Policy at Harvard Law School. He is the co-author of Nudge and Noise.

Larry Kramer has been President and Vice Chancellor of LSE since April 2024. A constitutional scholar, university administrator, and philanthropic leader, he was previously the President of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Dean of Stanford Law School.

Hashtag for this event: #LSEEvents

LSE Blogs

Many speakers at LSE events also write for LSE Blogs, which present research and critical commentary accessibly for a public audience. Follow British Politics and Policy, the Business Review, the Impact BlogEuropean Politics and Policy and the LSE Review of Books to learn more about the debates our events series present.

Photography

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Media queries

Please contact the Press Office if you would like to request a press seat or have a media query about this event, email LSE.Press.Events@lse.ac.uk. Please note that press seats are usually allocated at least 24 hours before each event.

Podcasts

We aim to make all LSE events available as a podcast subject to receiving permission from the speaker/s to do this, and subject to no technical problems with the recording of the event. Podcasts are normally available 1 week after the event. Podcasts and videos of past events can be found online

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Accessibility

If you are planning to attend this event and would like details on how to get here and what time to arrive, as well as on accessibility and special requirements, please refer to LSE Events FAQ.  LSE aims to ensure that people have equal access to these public events, but please contact the events organiser as far as possible in advance if you have any access requirements so that arrangements, where possible, can be made. If the event is ticketed, please ensure you get in touch in advance of the ticket release date. Access Guides to all our venues can be viewed online.

WIFI Access

LSE has now introduced wireless for guests and visitors in association with 'The Cloud', also in use at many other locations across the UK. If you are on campus visiting for the day or attending a conference or event, you can connect your device to wireless. See more information and create an account at Join the Cloud.
Visitors from other participating institutions are encouraged to use eduroam. If you are having trouble connecting to eduroam, please contact your home institution for assistance.
The Cloud is only intended for guest and visitor access to wifi. Existing LSE staff and students are encouraged to use eduroam instead.
From time to time there are changes to event details so we strongly recommend that if you plan to attend this event you check back on this listing on the day of the event.
How can I attend? Add to calendar

This in-person public event is free and open to all, but a ticket is required.

Monday 2 December, 4pm: All tickets for this event have now been allocated.   

Returns Queue 

There will be a returns queue in operation at this event, situated outside the Shaw Library. 

Any seats left empty by ticketholders will be filled by those in the returns queue shortly before the start of the event.  Entry via the returns queue is not guaranteed. 

For any queries see LSE Events FAQ or email events@lse.ac.uk.

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