Academic freedom

With mobility severely limited and no connection or contact from Gaza colleagues, West Bank academics describe atmosphere of anguish

Universities cancelling events and threatening disciplinary proceedings has left scholars of Middle East feeling silenced

After eight years under an increasingly hostile Law and Justice government, researchers are hoping for an about-turn on academic freedom and critical studies

Government retaliation against criticism could undermine not just the universities but also their founders’ businesses, says an Indian scholar

Complaints from Jewish community prompt Liverpool Hope to pull plug on lecture that was set to be critical of the formation of the state of Israel

An early draft of the Knowledge Security Act suggests mass screening non-EU students and academics based on discipline, departing from an on-demand approach that won admiration abroad

Just as some conservatives start warning universities against joining policy debates, others start punishing them for failing to speak out on behalf of Jewish state

Disciplinary committee takes no action against student who filmed critical race seminar, leading lecturer to go on sick leave and sparking national debate

At Harvard and beyond, politicised sector sees new battles erupt between students, faculty, donors and lawmakers over attitudes towards Palestinians

Evacuation of international staff and mass mobilisation of army reservists has left some labs operating on ‘skeleton crews’

‘Astonishing demand’ to suspend book launch over claims that its essays ‘delegimitise trans people’ shows activists have been ‘emboldened’, say editors

New director promises political impartiality and a thorough consultation as English regulator gets ready to promote and protect expression on campus

Academics believe institutions have been ‘punished’ for perceived opposition to president Daniel Ortega

In considering revisions for the 10th anniversary of its respected free-speech ideals, university turns to critics of academia’s public voice

Agency accused of violating Lisbon convention for quizzing students who earned foreign credit after governance rift at the University of Theatre and Film in Budapest

The UK government is freezing ‘troublemaking’ educationalists out of policymaking. Universities should model better forms of debate, says Clare Brooks

Recruitment target is a ‘staged performance’ unlikely to yield real results, according to academics

The increased weighting of the environment section poses risks in an era when EDI is increasingly politicised, say Alice Sullivan and John Armstrong 

The historical disconnect between teaching and research makes it easy to restrict expression without provoking much outrage, says Saikat Majumdar

Chapter withdrawn by Routledge after legal threats, with professor claiming that he had been identified, but denying wrongdoing

Dangers of universities being seen to shape public opinion highlighted in Pakistan, while Saudi leader warns of ‘slippery slope’

Former law lecturer suing Open University after claiming she was fired for questioning gender-based changes to curriculum 

WUR expands industry pillar to include patents in country scores, with greatest gains by Ireland, Hong Kong and the US

Lectures taught by loyalists seek to ‘turn everyone into a member of their party’, scholar says

Why are so many on the identitarian left so quick to reduce differences of opinion to existential threats to marginalised groups, asks Umut Özkırımlı

Authors of report examining complaints say definition has become ‘political tool’ used to silence criticism of Israel

The effective ban on any form of anti-Zionism or harsh criticism of Israel has had a detrimental impact on my life and career progression, says Clive Gabay

Regulator must go beyond enforcing new legislation and offer universities guidance on practical approaches to ensuring diverse views are heard on campuses, academics conclude

Regime’s history of cleansing Iranian academia bodes ill for faculty supportive of student protesters, researchers say

As Smolny’s liberal arts programme shutters, Russian scholars attempt to revive the interdisciplinary style of learning outside the country

Action against RMIT service comes as institutions support ‘yes’ vote in forthcoming Australian referendum

Researcher who revealed censorship of gender critical feminists says no-debate policies on transgender issues are causing ‘scholarly paralysis’

Politicians, the public and judges have grown tired of deferring to universities’ opaque decision-making processes, as illustrated by Supreme Court’s ban on affirmative action in admissions, say Anthony Carnevale and Peter Schmidt

‘Narrow-mindedness’ over China in US universities driven by fear of losing government funding, says Denis Simon

US universities look to alternative ways of ensuring diverse views are respected, reflecting differing approaches to the ‘crisis’

Leaked draft of summertime power grab has spooked scientists, but most admit country’s network of 76 institutes needs reform

University one of the few to avoid pushing an institutional line on the forthcoming Australian referendum

While the removal of opportunities for political ‘meddling’ has drawn widespread approval, research advocates want more funding

Government steps up scrutiny of university over BJP-critical paper while academics urge Ashoka to reinstate its author

Possibility of tensions flaring again on first anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death sparks attempts to keep students away from campuses

Minister hints at punishment with unprecedented letter to National Science Centre over project exploring the role of bondage and domination in the development of trans identities

University of Surrey sets up Hong Kong studies hub as political pressures drive Hong Kong academics to the UK

Institution critiqued for ‘pre-emptive self-censorship’, perhaps to avoid falling afoul of government

Almost nine in 10 respondents say they feel free to express themselves on campus in response to new question

Ministry in foundation model talks with two universities as insider worries about future interference at conservatoire

Rising numbers of faculty from mainland China face atmosphere of ‘suspicion and mistrust’, researcher claims

Ombudsman says British government did not do enough to protect Matthew Hedges during his detention in the United Arab Emirates

Former Mermaids trustee and trans activist Jacob Breslow says his gender studies colleagues should be ‘left to continue their vital teaching and research in peace’

Leaders say a vote curbing Supreme Court powers has forced them to speak out, but they must still consider pro-government faculty and staff as the state heads for civil strife

Battle over who should have final say over professorship appointments demonstrates difficulty in reconciling starkly different academic cultures

Landmark report has generated applause but could deny vice-chancellors a free hand

Days after president quits, massive institution alleged to have been part of another high-profile case of political interference

Former Oxford v-c Louise Richardson is wrong to dismiss the need for a free speech tsar in a massified system, says Ian Pace 

Katherine Banks exits as fact-finding committee examines botched recruitment of Kathleen McElroy as director of journalism

Patrick Zaki earned gender studies master’s remotely after serving 22 months in pre-trial detention for writing about the experiences of Egypt’s Coptic Christians during studies in Italy

The unravelling of internationalisation and academic freedom is likely to come with a repurposing of research to military ends, says Maria Yudkevich

More than 20 public agencies could be turned into just three, but sector leaders are wary of the government’s intentions

China is ‘stealing UK academic research’ in ‘plain sight’ and suppressing political dissent on campus, says intelligence committee

More than 500 scholars condemn South Asian University’s actions against faculty who supported students during hunger strikes

Ministers only want to protect freedom of speech that they agree with, claims former Oxford vice-chancellor