Academic freedom

As politicians stage another public hearing to shame academia, university leaders display new level of resistance, joined by students at Harvard and California system

Researchers say emails suggest disapproval of social media posts on transgender issues contributed to rejections

As Pro-Palestinian encampments spread to more than 20 UK universities, a new organisation of Jewish academics has formed over concerns around the rise of antisemitism on campuses, and another warning against ‘dangerous rhetoric’ from government 

House education committee, in new front for attacking academia, backs right-wing analysis that alleges political tilt in Truman and Rhodes awards

After nationwide failure to stop their presidents from arresting student demonstrators, college instructors ponder which approaches – and friends – they can turn to

Academic says he has ‘never seen anything like it’ after being told that classroom cameras were being used without his knowledge

Who wants to be heckled in their workplace by people who think they are entitled to define the parameters of your faith for you, asks Joseph Mintz

Mike Lee retires after suspension for ending student encampment by promising to study campus’ investments and halt non-existent academic exchanges

Vice-chancellors tread lightly as students occupy building and defy instructions to vacate camps

Politicians promise to support Hong Kong’s international education goals, while reminding universities to foster patriotism towards China

Chinese nationals studying abroad report being subject to transnational surveillance by authorities, leaving them scared to speak freely

Despite claims of political appointments, no party seems to want to make interference in universities an election issue, says Mukhtar Ahmad

Temperatures soar despite the winter chills, as each side accuses its opponents of extremism

‘Gothenburg Manifesto’ calls for decentralisation of power and return to ‘core’ of academia

University insists senate decision to refrain from institutional stance safeguards academic freedom

Intimidation of longstanding civic institutions belies a traditional conservative emphasis on small government and free speech, says Andrew Seligsohn

Critics’ claim that research on British policy in Northern Ireland will be influenced by ministers is incorrect, says Ian McBride

Encampments cleared by law enforcement as student protests spread across Europe

Biden backs Republican narrative of excessive antisemitism in demonstrations, while California tries to uncover pro-Israel attackers

Tracking teaching, grades and research productivity with electronic systems is affecting staff independence and well-being, union-backed survey finds

The digital revolution is creating a sense of always being watched and judged in both teaching and research, say Chavan Kissoon and Terence Karran

End of prime minister’s two-decade term brings reflection on sector’s rapid development but also its enduring challenges

Tough decade-old experience with police violence taught California universities the value of restraint, though divisive politics may already be straining its ability to keep its ideals

Debate on how far governments should regulate universities without impinging on academic freedom and autonomy

Debate over how to handle polarised issues considered too polarising by students

Just as universities enter election-year battle over their worth, cries of antisemitism – sincere or otherwise – play into their historic partisan vulnerabilities

Toronto’s respectful dialogue guru warns against ‘statement culture’ and says focus should be on scholarship and engagement

Letter by Queen Mary academics is latest to raise concern over plight of Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, who was arrested by Israeli police shortly after suspension by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

After top politicians visit Columbia University to demand harsh crackdown on student speech, police at multiple campuses move to shut down encampments

Top congressional Republican comes to New York City to ally himself with conservatives attacking free speech on college campuses

University policy criticised for potential chilling effect, just as institutions come under renewed pressure to promote free speech

University’s president in tough situation, with lawmakers escalating tensions, students angered by quick use of police force, and encampments elsewhere drawing similar responses

Italian philosopher faces defamation charges after condemning use of term ‘ethnic replacement’

After more than 100 arrests at demonstration supporting Palestinians, students revive mass occupation, putting their president under new fire from briefly supportive Republicans

University discriminating against those with gender-critical beliefs, bringing it into conflict with new free speech rules, legal opinion states

Ivy League institution follows congressional spotlight with student arrests and suspensions

The prime minister’s role in appointing university leaders under question as Cabinet attempts to change status quo

The broad approach taken by the OfS’ guidance on free speech will safeguard orthodoxy-challenging work, say Abhishek Saha and Ian Pace

The regulator’s example scenarios fail to acknowledge the harm that even lawful speech can cause on campus, say Naomi Waltham-Smith and James Murray

AAUP plans dozens of events on day of new congressional hearing against student protests, challenging university leaders to better protect academic independence

Extending England’s proposed threshold for legal recourse would encourage universities to adopt delaying tactics, says Abhishek Saha

Both sides claim a win, with Pavlou lauding ‘legacy’ and university saying legal fees have been put to better use

Despite explicit exemption for fundamental research, Greens warn that new regime will stymie collaboration ‘outside Aukus bubble’

Regulator outlines how institutions could respond to various scenarios as it prepares to exercise new duties

Requiring grants for research time previously given as standard will lend funders undue power over topics and methods, says Dennis Tourish

Conservative attempts to silence professors face a difficult hurdle for now in Congress, but keep gaining ground in individual states

Harvard campus drama made famous by Bryan Cranston makes European premiere as Gaza protests debate adds fresh relevance

Scholars are growing increasingly wary of conducting research on and in China as the country strengthens national security laws

Adam Habib says institutions that spoke out over Ukraine ‘immediately invoked institutional neutrality’ on Gaza, questioning whether they would have done the same in relation to Nazi Germany

Lawmakers say legislation is needed to ensure students’ First Amendment rights are protected, with financial penalties for institutions that do not comply

Codifications of how university missions preclude institutional positions would guide expectations and responses, says Paul Gooch

National Education Policy prioritises institutional autonomy but controls remain tight despite attempts to decentralise

Short deadline for universities dealing with issues internally will ‘inundate’ regulator with partially investigated cases, sector fears

Academic freedom is particularly at risk in countries with pronounced social and political polarisation, report says

Some of the country’s biggest institutions have suffered bruising defeats of late despite the justice system generally favouring the powerful. What explains this losing streak and will it change anything?

Heriot-Watt researcher Kate Sang says Michelle Donelan ‘made a cheap political point at my expense and caused serious damage to my reputation’

Michelle Donelan faces calls to apologise as equality committee at centre of Gaza free speech row set to reconvene

Tolerance and respect are still expected, but a new kind of deference to group identity is emerging among students, say Stephen Hawkins and Mylien Duong

Care needed to avoid scaring off doctoral students and burying officials in paperwork, senators hear

Academic leading sex and gender research review for government also criticises ‘shocking failure of leadership in sector’ after professor’s tribunal win against OU