University Statements

Statement from Professor Liz Bacon, Principal and Vice-Chancellor - Friday 13 November, 2026

Over the past week we have listened carefully to the concerns raised by students, staff and others in relation to the Justice for Innocent Men Scotland (JIMS) lecture held on campus, and  have taken time to reflect.

It is clear that we got things wrong and on behalf of the University I want to apologise for the distress and upset that this matter has caused, particularly to survivors of rape and sexual abuse and harassment.

Abertay has a moral and legal duty to uphold academic freedom and lawful freedom of expression. Providing students with the ability to explore difficult and controversial themes is integral to their learning and, particularly in these polarised times, essential to their development as critical thinkers with the tools to create positive change.

The issue of fair trials is a valid and important subject for academic discussion and raises challenging questions about justice, evidence, the rights of individuals and the operation of our criminal justice system. These are exactly the kinds of complex issues that universities must encourage students to explore, and to challenge, from different perspectives. Finding an appropriate balance on these matters is both complex and challenging and, in this instance, we got it wrong by allowing JIMS to address our students.

While these types of debates will continue at Abertay, it is clear that the procedures we implemented at the start of this academic term around guest lectures need to be strengthened.

Since the JIMS lecture took place last week, conduct by their members and supporters has demonstrated that they lack the professionalism and integrity required to deliver guest lectures to our students and are not a suitable organisation around which the academic discussion should have been organised.

In addition, it is clear that our prior assessment of the group, its members, and its online operations did not go far enough and moving forward I can confirm that JIMS and their representatives will not be invited back to Abertay.

This decision does not mean that discussion of fair trials, rape, miscarriages of justice or other difficult issues will stop. Nor does it mean that we will in any way reduce our commitment to free speech or seek to prevent other groups with controversial views from delivering guest lectures in the future.

Once again, I want to fully apologise for the upset that this matter has caused. Protecting and supporting our students and staff and ensuring that Abertay is a safe and welcoming community is of the very highest importance, and I know how many colleagues across the University work every day to uphold that commitment. We have strong systems in place at Abertay for reporting sexual abuse and harassment and will continue to encourage students and staff to use these.

All forms of sexual abuse and harassment, either online or in the real world, are completely unacceptable and we will do everything we can to support our community and to call this out where we see it.

I recognise that the events of the past week have been difficult for members of our community. We have listened carefully to the concerns raised and accept that there are lessons we need to take from what has happened.

Universities must always remain places where difficult subjects can be explored and challenged. But doing that well requires a commitment to listening and improvement. We will strengthen our processes accordingly, while remaining a place where challenging questions can be debated openly, rigorously and respectfully.