Academic freedom

Sam Gyimah and Damian Hinds will remove obstacles to major review and keep universities in the media spotlight, say experts  

University rector killed himself after being arrested and barred from campus

Head of private university that closed in July 2016 is latest academic targeted in post-coup crackdown

There is growing concern that China is trying to silence its critics in the West, with academic publishers a particular target. Tao Zhang considers the consequences for scholarly freedom – and what can be done to tackle such restrictions

Wilfrid Laurier University admits it mishandled incident in which teaching assistant was accused of creating a ‘toxic’ environment 

Arshin Adib-Moghaddam looks at restrictions to academic freedom in what he describes as an age of ‘psycho-nationalism’

Scholars seek to ‘call out’ workshops they see as far too soft on empire

Researchers receiving funding from overseas may be forced to register as foreign agents

Law lecturer’s unflattering account of Senate candidate Roy Moore triggers debate

Academic experts on China say the state may now issue demands in collaborations with Western universities 

Labour MP leading parliamentary inquiry on campus expression criticises chair of England’s new regulator

It is wrong and discriminatory to assume that religion is a barrier to academic or professional excellence, says Felipe Fernández-Armesto

First priority should be to repeal Grace Mugabe’s PhD, says lecturer

Former scholars at Cedarville University say staff are ‘terrified of losing their jobs’ after being told to avoid referencing ‘immoral’ artwork

Academics claim that partnership ‘undermines’ organisation and allows University of Bahrain to ‘normalise’ country’s regime

Engineer takes institution to human rights body over satirical dig at exceptions for religious clothing

If the Office for Students ever intervenes over freedom of speech, it will only be to widen it, says Michael Barber

Pushed to break away from the established Turkish academy by increasing government control, Bilim Akademisi has now been accepted into the European fold

Interviews with students and graduates in China ‘raise serious doubts’ about role of higher education in achieving cohesion

Berkeley chancellor issues warning at conference on New Nationalism and Universities

University of Westminster music academic on fighting with punks, boosting Peter Andre’s career and pioneering ‘classical reggae’

Effigy of Berkeley professor Judith Butler burned outside São Paulo conference

'Unrestrictive' governance is vital if universities are to attain world-class status, says Teresa A. Sullivan

Georgetown project shows that it’s not just students but also the ‘grown-ups’ in society who are struggling to find right balance, says director

Details emerge of another academic publisher blocking access to sensitive journal articles

Last week’s spats over universities’ supposed anti-Brexit bias and what to do about it highlight the contested nature of free speech

The former chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley explains how he navigated protests from both the Left and Right, and threatening tweets from President Trump

Noura Al-Jizawi hopes her experience at the University of Toronto will help her to transform her homeland into a democracy

Scholars charged with terrorism offences almost two years after signing anti-war petition

At the University of Hamburg, new rules leave it up to lecturers to decide whether the full face veil disrupts their teaching

Sweeping away ‘leaves’, using the metric system and forcing students to speak ‘European’; the depth of universities’ EU ‘treachery’ is uncovered

Turkey’s president was unwise to evoke Animal Farm when his attack on academics has eerie echoes of George Orwell’s novel, says Umut Özkirımli

CU Boulder president also urges expansion of student Pell Grants to middle class in future

Chris Heaton-Harris’ request for academics lecturing in field was research for book, says Jo Johnson

Universities will continue to provide a place where academic freedom can flourish, says Janet Beer

Swedish-based academic Ahmadreza Djalali will be executed following 'grossly unfair trial', says Amnesty International

Jo Johnson urged to condemn Tory who asked vice-chancellors for course content and names of European studies professors

Foreign minister warns on free speech, while ANU v-c urges against seeing Chinese students as ‘spies’

Far-left students in US are more likely to favour protests and support the withdrawal of a guest speaker’s invitation, survey finds

Hungarian government extends deadline for compliance with education act after Budapest-based institution meets criteria

University leaders at University of Chicago discussion call for students to be better educated about First Amendment

With latest application for teaching licence rejected in long-running battle with authorities, time is running out to start the new academic year

Education minister sees break from Spain as a path to more ‘competition and excellence’ in hiring, firing and leadership

Budapest-based institution says negotiations between Hungary and New York State have created ‘basis for an agreement’

Quiet acceptance of accent discrimination damages efforts to make classrooms more inclusive, says Katerina Loukopoulou

Police complaint is filed against Delhi University lecturer after he posted comment on Facebook

Move follows government accusation that ideological and political work at some top institutions was weak

Intense polarisation of Turkish diaspora, plus online harassment, means refugee scholars feel they are being watched

Scholars at Risk counts 257 assaults and persecutions on higher education communities over past year

Publishers should consult with journal editors over censorship requests, says China Quarterly committee member

Social scientists are innovating to ensure their research is relevant, but more must be done, says Rick Delbridge

Initiative urges government researchers to send findings through encrypted channels to ensure their preservation

Op-ed on statues of eugenicists and researchers who denied rights to non-white people branded ‘disastrous’

Glasgow vice-chancellor Sir Anton Muscatelli defends ‘cost-efficient’ sector driving UK growth

No tax inspector or police officer can claim rights over what they write for their jobs, so why should academics, asks Gabriel Egan

Louise Richardson says it is ‘completely mendacious’ to suggest higher tuition fees have driven inflation in executive pay

Thousands of university staff are set to pay more towards pensions under proposals

Seven top universities establish political monitoring units in response to state ‘rectification reports’

It is time to consider how we can stop senior academics bullying their way on to research papers, says Trisha Greenhalgh