Academic freedom

Appeal by academic groups condemns ‘targeted efforts to restrict or retaliate against students’ and scholars’ exercise of academic freedom’

Experts say getting into line with more vigilant Western approach must not mean ‘blind action that destroys cooperation’

Universities need to mount a broader case and form better alliances to defend their autonomy from outside threats, former head of CEU argues

Even universities in the hermit kingdom largely cut themselves off from the rest of the world. Yet those few Westerners with direct experience of them suggest that while critical inquiry is predictably unwelcome, the global publish or perish culture is starting to take hold. Pola Lem reports

Protesters who disrupted gender theory book talk accuse university of ‘repression’ after criminal complaint lodged

Joshua Katz dismissed after renewed probe of sexual misconduct case

Researchers perceive weakening of institution’s international and multilingual atmosphere

Free Speech Union chair issues warning as Conservative adviser poses question on new free speech bill in event of ‘stonking’ election majority

Head of state accused of ‘chilling’ research with three-year block

Student protests ‘historically have ominous portents’ for country, scholar warns

Scholar who fled to Iran after torture says the experience cemented his resolve to teach human rights

PhD student says her legal defeat raises important questions about duty of care owed to students who face harassment

The president of Dillard University says that historically black colleges and universities do a better job than the Ivy League

As Australia’s general election looms, many in university circles may be hoping that Scott Morrison’s coalition is voted out. But is it true that conservative governments and universities are natural antagonists? And how much better would the sector fare under a Labor administration? John Ross reports

Swedish-Iranian academic Ahmadreza Djalali is given execution date on the day ‘historic’ trial ends

Rival centre’s establishment highlights the problems for thinktanks in universities

Just as campaigns to promote societal benefit show strength, activists admit setbacks in wider battleground for basic academic freedom

Other institutions likely to follow in steps of University of Hong Kong if motion passes, say observers

Covid vaccine successes notwithstanding, researchers should remain wary of corporate capture, says Tahir Shah 

Warning accompanies fresh effort to strengthen Europe-wide protections

Universities have the connections and resources for sophisticated risk management, not just ‘bureaucratic box-ticking’, says British-Australian academic

Universities minister reaffirms plans to tackle campus ‘cancel culture’ and condemns ‘upsurge in physical threats’ against controversial speakers

Melbourne institute’s mission to heal relations with India clashes with academics’ desire to spotlight subcontinent abuses

Conservative thinktank calls for creation of new study centre to address failure of universities to study radical ideologies

Recent measures prevent women from participating in academic conferences or graduation ceremonies

Intervention raises questions over use of institutional resources for political ends

Long-time University of South Florida booster Rhea Law gets the presidency, leaving faculty to wonder if the moment is too much for anyone

Extraordinary meeting fails to resolve governance concerns raised by scores of fellows

Doxa editor Armen Aramyan discusses year-long house arrest, narrowing academic freedom and the future of Russia’s independent media

While staff hostility towards philanthropically backed humanities courses has not abated, entry and satisfaction scores suggest students take a different view

Opening congressionally mandated review of Chinese educational centres, Pentagon official pushes lawmakers to concentrate on bigger challenges

Staff scour social media to root out dissidents, with escalation of penalties meant to silence students

The president of Macau University of Science and Technology discusses overhauling engineering education and the differences between Macao and Hong Kong 

Russian Foundation for Basic Research looking at Rb1.15 billion decrease, while Moscow State University told to slash budget by 10 per cent

As Republicans pile up assaults on academic freedom, experienced out-of-state president suggests extensive costs to brand value

Staff reportedly told Nato is to blame for conflict triggered by Russian invasion

The UK government’s bill to tackle university cancel culture would give it unacceptable powers to control academic debate and student protest, says George Letsas

Despite incremental reforms throughout Emmanuel Macron’s first term as president, France still has one of the most centralised higher education systems in Europe. As the election looms, Ben Upton examines attitudes towards institutional autonomy and asks whether its supposed effects on equality and academic freedom are limiting appetite for more

Incident could signal ‘big reversal’ of Chinese government policy on international academic exchange, academics say

After fighting off attempt to expel them, academics resign from learned academy over ‘untoward political focus’

Clash of views on whether controversial legislation’s support is dwindling and whether it will be carried over to next session of Parliament

Withdrawal of honorary degree from government race review chair raises Tory ire, while OfS chief executive says legislation would allow it to act on such cases

In spite of announcing no net value in the Trump-era clampdown, Biden prosecutors persist with unclear evidence against Kansas scientist

Professor says he accepts it may be necessary for ties to be cut to some institutions in the country   

Thirty years after his breakout book declared democracy to be an unstoppable force, the End of History author explains to Matthew Reisz why a new defence of liberal values is urgently needed, and why scholars must share some responsibility for destabilising them

The KAUST president discusses the treatment of women and academic freedom

Dispute over indigenous knowledge ‘not amenable to resolution’, investigation panel finds, as New Zealand society pledges ‘helpful and constructive’ dialogue

Supporters say student engagement could lead to a ‘less radicalised’ student body, but fear more political meddling in institutional decisions

Reflecting nation’s angry partisan tone, admissions advisers’ association mutes online exchange, and sister group weighs shunning Texas

Veto powers not unique to the ARC, medical research funder says – although they are not exercised elsewhere

The Ukraine war has led to unprecedented curtailment of academic ties, but could breaking off all relations with Russia cause further problems?

While most submissions support legislation to end ministerial veto rights, some urge middle ground approach

The furore over the John Comaroff letter means discussions that could boost understanding of sexual harassment won’t occur, says Jonathan Zimmerman 

Global index links downward trend over the past decade to accelerating and deepening decline in democracy

Scholars expressing ‘shock and horror’ call for ‘immediate stop’ to Putin’s ‘senseless’ invasion

Seattle institution pays back $5 million rather than accept free speech limits, but faculty fault refund as unwarranted

US ends Trump-era approach after scores of arrests, repeated failed prosecutions and growing criticisms

Academics call on overseas colleagues to ‘stand with us’ as Putin’s army attacks

Research aims to gather evidence on whether international links with autocratic states pose threat to UK academic freedom

Lawmakers moving to block lessons on race and politics after successful efforts to police school curricula