ABSTRACT
In 2015, the UK government introduced the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act, which placed a controversial legal duty on universities, and other public bodies, to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. This chapter examines the development of the Prevent Duty over time and its application in the university sector. From the outset, Prevent has focused explicitly and primarily on Muslim communities, despite a more recent increased focus on far-right extremism. The chapter considers various criticisms of Prevent and the concepts underpinning it, and its consequences for Muslims. It analyses Prevent training materials developed by the Home Office, showing how the disproportionate focus of such materials on Muslims can encourage participants to view ordinary behaviours among Muslims with suspicion. Finally, the chapter explores how this Duty functions in practice within the sector. It sets out findings from new research (conducted in 2017–19) with university managers responsible for implementing the Duty, including their different approaches to implementation, the challenges they face and their perception of Prevent’s impact on freedom of speech and Muslim students. It shows how the Prevent Duty Guidance for Higher Education encourages universities to be risk-averse and to avoid external speakers with controversial, though lawful, views.
