Academic freedom

While submitting to authority comes naturally to Asian universities, their Western counterparts have traditionally resisted coercion. But Donald Trump’s compact could change the game with the illusion of a freedom-restricting deal that is freely entered into, writes Saikat Majumdar

The Magna Charta Universitatum matters more than ever as university freedoms become sharply contested, say Shitij Kapur and Liviu Matei

Better support systems needed for scholars facing political threats, according to historian labelled ‘domestic terrorist professor’

Curtailment of Laura Murphy’s research into alleged forced labour practices in China raises further questions over foreign government interference on UK campuses

New Chinese rule requiring proof of qualifications could benefit academics seeking to share research findings online, but critics fear more control over public debate

Chinese Communist Party control of joint ventures potentially violating UK equality and free speech laws, warns thinktank

Civil liberties champion Nadine Strossen says US universities must unite to fight president’s ‘blatantly illegal’ plan to destroy institutional autonomy

Universities must show they are ‘capable of change’ to fend off Trump pressure, says Harvard professor

‘Institutionalised’ targeting of universities has compromised academic freedom but remains ‘taboo’ subject on campuses, says intelligence expert

‘Irreversible damage’ being done to higher education as government removes the ‘last lifelines to learning’ for many

Latest Scholars at Risk data records 395 attacks in 49 countries, with risk to universities spreading from authoritarian regimes to liberal democracies

Scholars doubtful over future of campus activism as universities move to distance themselves from student-led organisations

Political issues motivate Turkish PhD students to move abroad but sociocultural and professional anxieties stop them from returning, study finds

Legal protections and sustainable funding key for Europe to be ‘beacon of open and free science’, guild says

Researcher whose name appeared on letter coordinated by the group Scholars for Truth About Genocide says he has no idea how it got there

The suppressive precedents being set in the US, Germany and Israel can and will be applied to other issues, too, say Katharina Galor and Noga Wolff 

Universities change job requirements after free speech groups raise concerns following new legislation

With academics at ‘increasing risk’ of arbitrary detention, governments and universities must tackle cases in a ‘proactive’ way

Chinese students and scholars face surveillance, harassment and self-censorship at British universities, report finds, amid wider concerns over financial dependence on China

US administrators will destroy academic freedom if they cite it to maintain autonomy over admissions and hiring, says James F. O’Brien

If we don’t develop policies now, being deepfaked and doxed will become an ever-present risk, say Janine Arantes, Andrew Welsman and Bec Marland

Avoiding official stances on contested issues clears the way for individuals to speak out – including university leaders, says Abhishek Saha

An Indian university founder recently quoted Google AI in defence of his institution’s failure to back an under-fire academic. The incident exemplifies the threat posed to viewpoint diversity on campus by our increasing reliance on a tool trained to favour the majority view, says Saikat Majumdar 

Regulator tells universities it will not discourage diversity initiatives but says they must be run in accordance with free speech duties

Authoritarians in the Academy explores how foreign influence is undermining freedom and integrity within US universities

The beefed up document could temper the influence of anti-rational ideologies and restore public trust in academia, say Ian Pace and Abhishek Saha

Universities warned against restricting lawful speech as one in three academics claim they are scared of discussing controversial subjects

More English institutions escalating cases to counter-terrorism organisation Prevent, driven by concerns related to radical Islam

Australian employee representatives say universities are too ready to surveil workers, while higher education regulator suggests additional methods

Sydney doubles down on rules about indoor demonstrations, lecture announcements and graffiti after review sparked by pro-Palestinian encampments

Students fearful of taking trips home or travelling to international events in case they are left stranded amid Donald Trump’s latest crackdown

A nation that truly believed in its greatness wouldn’t require its educational institutions to declare it, says Jonathan Zimmerman

Universities asking candidates to prove support for equality policies may be unlawful, claims Alumni for Free Speech

Students criticise university for lack of transparency and wasting resources after thousands of books from shuttered college destined for recycling

Science academy urges government to facilitate curiosity-driven research and protect researchers from intimidation

Whole role of science in societies ‘being threatened’ by period of great turbulence, says scholar who chaired Ireland’s Covid vaccination drive

Stella Maris was removed from position on St Andrews governing body after accusing Israel of genocide

Institutions advising on Armenia’s merger plans should consider how ‘academic city’ will make student protest impossible, warns Harvard professor

New restrictions following pro-Palestinian encampments appear to contravene Australian universities’ commitments on free speech, says legal academic

Bill proposing screening of all scholars working on ‘sensitive areas’ will create ‘huge administrative burden’, leaders warn

Bill requires universities to promise not to ‘take positions’ on non-core issues or ban invited speakers because of what they might say

University handed record fine over free speech breaches claims ruling gives ‘free rein’ to racists and sexists

OfS’ free speech director tells institutions to ensure they are meeting ‘regulatory obligations’ after Sussex fine

OfS finding that university failed to uphold its free speech duties prompts others into reviewing policies that some believe were ‘copied and pasted’

No word on whether US research partnerships must be registered for possible veto, after American authorities suspend contracts on ideological grounds

The Sussex verdict notwithstanding, we need to ask whose participation free speech enables or denies, says Rishi Trikha

Compulsory assessment tasks that highlight cultural histories of Australia and New Zealand help prepare students for future careers, universities insist

Any academic who adopts a social constructionist view of gender without studying the alternatives is embarrassingly superficial, says Eric Heinze

OfS defends ‘thorough’ investigation that legal expert says leaves institutions ‘without clear guidance’

The law around free speech is complex, but Sussex just seems to have got it wrong and has paid a hefty price, says James Murray

Vice-chancellor calls regulator’s investigation ‘Kafkaesque’ as probe into departure of Kathleen Stock finally concludes

High Court judgment preventing protesters from disrupting ceremonies sets ‘dangerous precedent’, say human rights groups

Removal of researcher who had anti-Trump messages on phone prompts European academics to avoid travelling to the US

Rules designed for adversaries do not help against friends, expert warns, as US grills Australian researchers on DEI, ‘environmental justice’, ‘gender ideology’ and China links

The terror financing bill’s broad language may require international efforts to defend academic freedom, says Caroline Ball

Chinese literature and linguistics professor returns to university after disappearing during a trip back to China in 2023

Changes to science policy organisation decried as political interference after long-standing tensions

New research links anti-pluralist leaders with declining academic freedom, warning of ‘dire consequences’ for academia

Regulator ‘looking forward to getting on with it’ after key interventions delayed by political wrangling

Institution is ‘balancing the right to protest with the rights of others to not be adversely affected’, says new vice-chancellor