Author
Simon Perfect
Teaching Fellow
Simon Perfect is a researcher at Theos, the religion and society thinktank, and a Teaching Fellow at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).
7 pieces
Newest first, since December 2017
· Comment
Free speech on campus means student and staff actions not state-imposed sanctions
The government wants to tackle campus free speech. Universities must respond by making meaningful reform happen bottom-up, argue Simon Perfect and Alison Scott-Baumann.
With Alison Scott-Baumann
· SUs
Universities need to create safe but critical spaces for debate – here’s how
The issue of free speech in universities continues to plague UK campuses. Earlier this year, the government announced “landmark proposals” to tackle the issue, including appointing a “free speech tsar” and giving the Off
With Alison Scott-Baumann
· Analysis
How to support Chaplains to support students during Covid
Simon Perfect lifts the lid on the work of university chaplains supporting students during the pandemic.
· SUs
How SUs can help their faith and belief societies
Faith and belief societies play huge roles in the lives of thousands of students – from building community and friendships to spearheading social action work. But they’re often poorly supported by their SUs, which can li
· Comment
Keep the faith: religion and cohesion in universities
We gotta have faith. Simon Perfect presents the findings of the largest ever study on the impact of faith and belief societies in higher education.
· Comment
Students are the future of democracy: don’t muzzle them
Alison Scott-Baumann and Simon Perfect of SOAS highlight the shortcomings of the Prevent regime, and how it has lead to wild interpretations of extremism on campus.
With Alison Scott-Baumann
· Comment
An anatomy of judgement: how do ‘snowflakes’ think?
Alison Scott-Baumann and Simon Perfect of SOAS reveal the realities of free speech in universities.
With Alison Scott-Baumann