Academic freedom

Author says country should acknowledge forces to suppress academic expression, irrespective of their ideological roots 

New institution founded by conservative figures as an alternative to ‘censoriousness’ of established universities

Call for an ‘immediate ceasefire’ is scarcely better than the ‘stop arming Ukraine’ motion that led to resignations a year ago, says Christopher Phelps

Strategic silence of vice-chancellors within our national debate is a mistake when the quest for truth is so central to academia, argues Sir Geoff Mulgan

Firm whose lawyer helped initiate ACU saga handed job of finding leakers

Open letter urges Bridget Phillipson to think again as scholars allege culture in which alternative views are supressed

Politics professor had faced criticism for his posts during political unrest in the UK

Academic’s exit brings more uncomfortable headlines for institution that has already faced several legal disputes this year

Successive governments have a long history of suppressing freedom of speech, thought and association on campus, says C. Rashaad Shabab

Universities urged to continue work to tackle free speech concerns after being ‘handed reprieve’ by minister

The OfS needs only to tweak its guidance in light of the considerable free-speech duties by which universities are already bound, says James Murray

Academic who claims she was forced out of university for exposing silencing of gender-critical feminists says she is ‘extremely pleased’ by settlement

Bridget Phillpson’s decision to reconsider implementation will only hamper wider recognition of universities as a public good, says Abhishek Saha

Universities ‘not ready’ for imminent launch of complaints scheme, says legal expert

National Education Policy prioritises Indian knowledge, but many are against embedding certain historical documents into the curriculum

Microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles, who was harassed over pandemic commentaries, fears New Zealand’s universities still too slow to protect staff

University leaders U-turn on controversial decision to fire professor that sparked academic freedom row

Judge tells university to pay damages but rules there was no breach of Siouxsie Wiles’ academic freedom

US academics unwilling to share ‘socially costly’ views because they fear abuse, ostracisation and disciplinary action

Constitutional Court nullifies decree enabling Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to appoint rectors, but any respite is expected to be brief

Chapter of Sexual Misconduct in Academia was previously withdrawn after academic claimed he was identified

University says students and staff are not “immune” from local laws but academics say institution should do more to protect learners

More than 750 students and staff killed, injured or abducted in two years, says report

State secretary Sabine Döring dismissed after German Education Ministry investigated potential funding cut for academics supporting student protesters

Conduct review relies on footage taken inside the classroom without academic’s knowledge

Haidt vehicle ostensibly began as bid by left-leaning professors to limit their own extremes, but conservative power is more visibly – and audibly – driving its growth

Experience of Palestinian academics living in Israel like ‘being in the belly of the beast’ since 7 October, Brismes event hears

Months after Harvard Law Review rejected analysis of Gaza genocide allegation, Columbia’s version does the same

Reports mount of academics not having contracts renewed in apparent retaliation for anti-war protests, as observers highlight precarity as key factor in restricting free speech

About 99 per cent of events and speakers were still approved last year, a similar proportion to previous years

Several Chinese academics working overseas have disappeared or been detained on return to homeland as leaders expand national security laws

V-c’s offer to meet with encampment to review defence and security research called both an ‘empty deal’ and a ‘capitulation’

Universities are not ‘speaker’s corner’ and governments should not impose ‘diktats about what we do on campus’, New Zealand forum hears

Universities face a delicate balancing act between ‘mob veto’ and safety obligations, says free speech advocate

While administrators, faculty, students and police get main attention in protests, those paying the bills – especially in wealthier families – pursue more decisive roles

As politicians stage another public hearing to shame academia, university leaders display new level of resistance, joined by students at Harvard and California system

Researchers say emails suggest disapproval of social media posts on transgender issues contributed to rejections

As Pro-Palestinian encampments spread to more than 20 UK universities, a new organisation of Jewish academics has formed over concerns around the rise of antisemitism on campuses, and another warning against ‘dangerous rhetoric’ from government 

House education committee, in new front for attacking academia, backs right-wing analysis that alleges political tilt in Truman and Rhodes awards

After nationwide failure to stop their presidents from arresting student demonstrators, college instructors ponder which approaches – and friends – they can turn to

Academic says he has ‘never seen anything like it’ after being told that classroom cameras were being used without his knowledge

Who wants to be heckled in their workplace by people who think they are entitled to define the parameters of your faith for you, asks Joseph Mintz

Mike Lee retires after suspension for ending student encampment by promising to study campus’ investments and halt non-existent academic exchanges

Vice-chancellors tread lightly as students occupy building and defy instructions to vacate camps

Politicians promise to support Hong Kong’s international education goals, while reminding universities to foster patriotism towards China

Chinese nationals studying abroad report being subject to transnational surveillance by authorities, leaving them scared to speak freely

Despite claims of political appointments, no party seems to want to make interference in universities an election issue, says Mukhtar Ahmad

Temperatures soar despite the winter chills, as each side accuses its opponents of extremism

‘Gothenburg Manifesto’ calls for decentralisation of power and return to ‘core’ of academia

University insists senate decision to refrain from institutional stance safeguards academic freedom

Intimidation of longstanding civic institutions belies a traditional conservative emphasis on small government and free speech, says Andrew Seligsohn

Critics’ claim that research on British policy in Northern Ireland will be influenced by ministers is incorrect, says Ian McBride

Encampments cleared by law enforcement as student protests spread across Europe

Biden backs Republican narrative of excessive antisemitism in demonstrations, while California tries to uncover pro-Israel attackers

Tracking teaching, grades and research productivity with electronic systems is affecting staff independence and well-being, union-backed survey finds

The digital revolution is creating a sense of always being watched and judged in both teaching and research, say Chavan Kissoon and Terence Karran

End of prime minister’s two-decade term brings reflection on sector’s rapid development but also its enduring challenges

Tough decade-old experience with police violence taught California universities the value of restraint, though divisive politics may already be straining its ability to keep its ideals

Debate on how far governments should regulate universities without impinging on academic freedom and autonomy

Debate over how to handle polarised issues considered too polarising by students