Academic freedom

Encouraging students to embody their institution’s distinctive values will allow it to present a more rounded view of the true worth of higher education, says Claire Taylor

After weeks of promising to allow Gavin McInnes on campus despite heavy student opposition, police concerns override administration’s push to uphold free speech principles

Pro-regime letter attributed to 10,000 professors condemns ‘aimless riots’ as students across the country call for change

President says experience of ‘provocateur extraordinaire’ provided a tough test of principles that are now paying off

Legal accountability may increase early cancellation of hostile speakers as institutions bury booking processes in red tape, Hepi study suggests

Even after two decades of death threats, Afshin Ellian sees liberal societies as a paradise on Earth

Academics say mobilisation gives universities a powerful tool, with learners who get expelled facing being sent to the Ukrainian front

It’s the ‘start of a revolution’, students chant in third week of protests

Advocates abandon Melbourne seminar over Australia’s answer to Diversity Champions Programme, citing presence of opponents

But political scientists and politician-scientist say the country’s rightward shift poses ‘no risk’ to academic freedom or international recruitment

New York-based manga comic expert claims withdrawal of Karl Andersson’s controversial paper may ‘stifle innovation and scholarship’ in future

Academics believe regime is ‘unlikely’ to silence ‘spirit of opposition’ gaining momentum across hundreds of campuses

Hopes that formalisation of economist’s imprisonment could trigger his early release

Auckland case illustrates fine line between political expression and potentially dangerous incitement

Half of students feel universities are becoming less tolerant, and most back legislation on the issue, but survey reveals complex picture overall

Campus cites 2021 state law in telling all employees not to promote abortion, while state’s other large institution suggests pointing students to outside counsellors

Institutions should assign a senior university manager to uphold academic freedom in same way as equality is promoted at board level, says report

Some doubt government will really lavish foundation-governed universities with extra funding it has promised

Private Orthodox institution acts after US Supreme Court upholds state court recognition order that’s likely to be reversed later

A large survey of students suggests that even Democrats are afraid to air their views on certain subjects. This isn’t healthy, says Samuel Abrams

ARC reveals macro scale of its micro-management of funding applicants’ statements

The toxic dispute over the rights of transgender people and how freely these matters should be discussed remains academia’s most divisive issue. Laura Favaro explains what she learned from speaking to both sides

University sees free-speech limits after Nigerian-born professor wishes monarch pain for colonial abuses

Students welcome formation of new CUHK union but say its political involvement will be limited

Survey in annual report by advocacy group Fire shows slightly less support on campuses for shouting down or using violence to deter speakers

Students should be encouraged to tackle books, ideas or ways of thinking they may find distressing or offensive – but offering emotional support is important too, says Sussex’s new vice-chancellor, Sasha Roseneil

The reaction to James Sweet’s article about presentism – including his own – compromises genuine scholarly debate, says Jonathan Zimmerman

Grant delays worse than ever, researchers say, as ARC strives to meet demands of ousted government

Salma al-Shehab given 34-year sentence over critical posts on Twitter

Moves ‘appear to fit a broader pattern’ of Indian authorities using diverse means to restrict researchers’ freedom, says academic rights group

Rector credits Austrian diplomats with getting student’s three-year jail sentence overturned

Judicial leader of campaign to end abortion rights abandons constitutional law seminar at George Washington University

Administrators are noting who is signing petitions critical of government or speaking out publicly, lecturers say

Institutions in the European countries face ‘contamination’ as governments group them with more regulated parts of the education system

Safety concerns lead top research university to cancel lecture on sex and gender, drawing criticism from research minister

Rejections up, but data show universities ‘remain places where debate and the sharing of ideas can thrive’, says OfS

Professors sanctioned for vaccine discussions as politicians seen gearing up for US-style assault on academic rights

Greatest obstacles facing universities coming from increased ideological control over education, says professor

But new Australian education minister silent on sector’s calls for more spending on teaching and research

Latest ruling against an international student arrested over research upon return to the country is decried as a ‘mockery of justice’ by rector

UUK letter to minister says it is ‘unclear what evidence is available’ to back claim that external schemes threaten free speech and requests meeting

Bill opens door to ‘vexatious’ lawsuits against universities and to ministerial ‘control-freakery’ on overseas funding, warn Lord Willetts and Lord Johnson

Dearth of data undermines understanding of cancel culture and other campus codes of silence

English institutions told to ‘reflect carefully’ on whether initiatives such as Race Equality Charter are in conflict with duty to uphold free speech

While some fields have been exempted from a contentious imposition on international doctoral students, sector still fears overkill

Survey finds UK undergraduates appear a lot less supportive of free speech than they were six years ago

Position will be used to ‘keep universities on a shorter leash’ and ‘pre-empt any potential dissent’, academics say

Leading professor proposes charter to protect free exchange of knowledge

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse chancellor discusses the importance of role models for students, his approach to hiring top staff and how he has stayed in the role for 15 years

After years of crude attacks on individual faculty and curriculum, Florida’s ambitious partisan governor identifies more palatable and enduring form of deep academic restraint

Alumnus cautions that lines of communication with UK government ‘must remain open’ with transparent timescale for evacuation

Critics say draft policy put out for consultation ‘restricts free speech’ beyond legal obligations

Opposition bid to exclude political donors foiled as government amendment on foreign funding passes

Amendment to free speech legislation would require higher education providers to report proposed partnerships with overseas organisations

Policies ‘frustrating academic freedom’ by supressing lawful free speech, dons argue

Major survey finds most UK undergraduates hear wide variety of opinions shared on campus and share their views freely

Education secretary proposes amendment to higher education legislation to address calls for more transparency

Case spotlights FSU’s influence and prospect of its mounting bigger legal actions against universities once free speech bill becomes law

The Princeton University president discusses the oversimplification of the free speech debate and his personal journey of discovery kicked off by his son’s school project 

Universities ‘must protect’ students’ right to protest, says student union leader