DAUK’s student committee blogs about medical students’ perspectives on protests and activism, and fears of potential repercussions.
In recent years, the political landscape in the UK has evolved significantly, with movements such as climate activism, pro-Palestine university encampments, and other protests emerging as central issues.
With student activism often at the forefront of such issues, many medical students may find themselves conflicted, uncertain of whether to participate in these movements due to increasing concerns over professional repercussions.
DAUK’s recent survey found the majority of respondents (69.4%) feel afraid of attending protests due to potential repercussions from their medical school.
Student protests
Students have expressed fear of being penalised for engaging in activism, with one participant explaining: “I always felt that, as a medical student, partaking in activism was going against the standards that we are expected to adhere to.”
Some students have voiced concerns that their involvement in political activism may be seen as ‘unprofessional’, and there is growing anxiety over professional consequences. One student said: “My medical school would consider it unprofessional. They have said doctors should be apolitical.”
Another student expressed fear about potential retaliation from the General Medical Council (GMC), citing the suspension of doctors involved in climate action groups such as Just Stop Oil.
The overarching sentiment among students is that their right to protest is not adequately protected.
Right to protest
As one student noted: “The university has not gone out of its way to ensure our rights to protest are protected.”
As activism in the UK increasingly faces criminalisation, medical students feel their voices are being silenced.
One student shared their anxiety about the potential impact on their future career: “Protest is being increasingly criminalised in the UK and we are a highly regulated profession (GMC).”
Another reflected on the fear of prejudice from university staff, stating: “The stigma and prejudice staff of the medical school will hold against me and may use to influence results when sitting exams.”
A particularly concerning comment came from a student who said that ‘on pro-Palestine marches, people were being threatened with expulsion’.
Solidarity
The Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) stands in solidarity with medical students, advocating for the protection of their right to protest and express their political beliefs without fear of professional retribution.
The ability to stand for justice, human rights, and humanitarian causes is integral to the ethos of medicine, and it is imperative the medical profession supports its students in doing so.
Medical schools must provide clear guidance on how students can appropriately express their political and social views without risking professional repercussions.
With increasing instances of humanitarian events and global unrest, medical schools should take a proactive stance on educating their students on how to advocate for causes important to them, while ensuring their professional standards on protest are relevant and fit for the modern day.
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