Academic freedom

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

International community ‘should take in academics unable to continue teaching in Hong Kong’, say scholars

Higher education systems that are free to evolve have improved and adapted as times change, but more are seeing ministers determined to set the course

‘Vast majority’ of promised research commercialisation fund falls outside spending commitments, estimates committee also hears

Students and staff voice concerns over slipping quality of education as Taliban members are tapped for teacher posts

Prime minister upholds reselection of reformist rector after masked, dye-wielding men try to spoil and steal vote

Ministerial intervention in research council appointment highlights growing politicisation of British science, experts warn

Higher education reform and public reinvestment are needed to realise the imagined goal of the university, argues Roopika Risam

Furore over political interference shows no sign of abating, as government presses ahead with research commercialisation agenda

Vice-chancellor criticises ‘bipartisan support’ for rules enabling ministers to intervene in grant awards

With both Oxford and Cambridge seeking new vice-chancellors, Rosa Ellis examines the unique pressures of leading these prestigious universities and the qualities that successful candidates will need to do the job

Conservative’s appointment as constitutional studies chief derailed over demeaning Biden plan for black female Supreme Court nominee

Alumni say the removal of staff-elected deans at top Turkish university may open the door for fresh attacks on dissident students and staff

Experts back ‘cautious approach’ for universities but stress importance of continuing collaboration

As leadership vacancies rise in factious state, lawmakers push measure that academics fear will add dangerous secrecy to process of filling them

Removing Amy Wax from compulsory courses or revoking her named chair would not contravene her academic rights, says Daniel Carpenter

A ban on abortion clinics’ use of university-affiliated doctors is a barefaced interference in universities’ hiring decisions, says Edward Halperin

Backing university professors seeking to testify in voting case against state, federal judge compares US conservatives to Chinese dictators

Postgraduate student Xiyue Wang alleges broad failures by university in three-year imprisonment, while experts see more complicated reality

Ex-prime minister says cancellation of funding ‘betrays government’s hostility to higher education’

After years of escalating protests, controversial law professor to face disciplinary process at Ivy League institution

Ex-governor also wants UK to offer visas to youth born after 1997 to counter clampdown on free speech

Facing lower tolerance for free speech, academics and students share their approaches on retaining autonomy and avoiding unwanted scrutiny

The City president discusses his personal ties to the institution, the opportunities and threats universities pose to national security, and self-indulgence in higher education

Leading scholars from Australian universities have joined scientific bodies to demand reversal of pre-election veto of humanities grants

Detention of Faizullah Jalal sparks protest in defence of legal scholar who publicly denounced the ruling regime

Sciences Po Grenoble director calls for ‘calm and rationality’ after suspension of Klaus Kinzler leads to loss of regional funding

Hong Kong University’s legally dubious dismantling of the monument to Tiananmen Square should provoke global outrage, says Phil C.W. Chan

Staff and students voice concern over CUHK’s condition that union can be reinstated only if it pledges not to break law

In free speech battle, court agrees that university and conservative governor still pose a threat to basic faculty rights

Government move brings meaning to the motto ‘Scholars for a Year, Cheveners for Life’, says advocate

Two years after student was beaten to death by classmates, calls for institutions to take more responsibility

University of the People aims to fund 4,000 Afghans to study, with 600 already enrolled in its courses

Vice-chancellor commits to ‘challenging and confronting debate’ on hot-button issue

Dirk Brockmann, branded a ‘lockdown maker’ by Bild, says scientists must make clear the uncertainty in their advice

Students protest after staff dismissed and tenure evaluations halted at Centre for Research and Teaching in Economics