Academic freedom

Italian ambassador to UK ‘expects truth to be established’ in the ‘heinous killing’ of Cambridge PhD student

Event with controversial King’s College London researcher Adam Perkins to be held at later date after ‘negative social media activity’

The good, the bad and the offbeat: the academy through the lens of the national press

Interviews with MA students in UK suggest that although few agree with Chinese government line, compulsory courses dull development of independent thought

Political theorist Andrei Stavilă explains how a comment on a friend’s Facebook page led to exit from Turkish university

Egyptian official says Giulio Regeni’s body bore signs of torture

Challenge of balancing need for quick decision-making with demand for collegiality debated

New system that has ability to monitor emails and use of computer networks on campus raises eyebrows

Comments by Sir Keith Burnett follows criticisms from business minister than some universities held a 'snobbish' attitude to the courses

British-Turkish academic who signed petition for peace is one of hundreds of academics who could face legal action in crackdown

Controversial material can be the most challenging to our intellect, argues Sue House

Drew Mulholland explains how his unique role at the University of Glasgow is at the heart of cross-disciplinary conversations

Critics fear proposals for high-level body could risk politicising scientific decisions.

An American student who was on an intensive language programme affiliated with the University of Tehran is among the prisoners released following nuclear deal

As many in the academy rail against Prevent, Anthony Glees urges them to reconsider

Scholars say they feel overwhelmed by demands, but there is scandalously little evidence on whether long hours make any sense for knowledge workers, finds David Matthews

Some surveys show faculty putting in at least 60 hours a week, but research casts doubt on whether this is a productive routine

First anniversary of atrocity sees words of Enlightenment figures rekindled 

It is always interesting when people take ideas to their logical conclusion, says Matthew Reisz

Using the language of sport to sell metrics-based performance management ignores what sport can really teach academia, argues linguistics scholar Liz Morrish

The decision to republish Mein Kampf is a reminder that we can learn from hateful words, says Marion Wynne-Davis

Should the University of Massachusetts Lowell be opening its doors to the controversial US presidential hopeful? John Kaag consulted his students

The former university rector has been praised as one of the country’s most effective politicians for driving his ambitious reform programme forward

One of Ukraine’s most highly regarded institutions has decamped to a new home 100km away to escape fighting in the war-torn region close to Russian border

After fears that Chinese students are absorbing ‘Western values’, city authorities attempt to stymie pathway courses to foreign universities

Academics are divided over whether it was right to use unusually specific criteria when seeking applicants for new post

Head of Saint Petersburg State University’s Graduate School of Management insists government does not interfere in academic freedom

The most popular higher education articles of the year, based on website traffic

‘Minimum expectations’ for research income will be used as part of staff performance review

Author of report into reshaping of research council system defends proposal to create a new ministerial committee

The National Union of Students has released a selection of Christmas songs inspired by higher education. All together now – one, two, three, four...

Architecture lecturer Stephen Games feels ‘vindicated’ after agreement

Robert Gordon University says Trump has made ‘statements that are wholly incompatible with the ethos and values of the university’

Politics lecturer Michael Buehler faces sustained attacks after raising questions about covert lobbying ahead of US visit by country’s president

Konstantin Krotov also speaks of ‘full support’ for Turkish academic in light of Russian-Turkish diplomatic tension

I had assumed stories about campus political correctness might be overblown. But the experience of my friend is an example of how deeply it permeates universities

Open letter calls for ministers to support academic research on sustainability during week of United Nations climate change conference in Paris

New rules enabling higher education board to shut down private universities seen as a threat to the government amount to ‘banditry’

Durham pro vice-chancellor warns that institutions would be forced to challenge a worse-than-expected judgement

New ministerial committee could wield power over research agenda, but support expressed for new pot of interdisciplinary funding

Universities are ‘too far’ into degree model to be able to train students with skills needed to boost productivity, says Association of Colleges president

The latest detention of Miguel Ángel Beltrán is viewed by many scholars as an attack on academic freedom

Liang Xinsheng removed from deputy chair post after writing ‘radical opinions’ that had a ‘bad social influence’

Ed Byrne warns institutions’ finances could be ‘undermined’ in the name of policy initiatives

2016 Best University Workplace Survey responses doubt TEF’s influence on classroom practice

Author of new book The Cunning of Uncertainty fears pressure for scientific certainty is leading researchers to make promises they cannot deliver

Machiavellian tactics used by university leaders and their minions are often viewed as malevolent, but they are vital to running an organisation, says new study

UKBA accused of interference in institution’s governance after controversial election of Jawad Botmeh

BJP's Ram Naik calls on institutions to 'inculcate folk culture' in ceremonies amid concerns over rising Hindu nationalism

Outgoing New York University president John Sexton dismisses concerns over academic freedom at his institution’s Abu Dhabi campus

Efforts to reform universities in the face of shrinking student numbers may jeopardise departments with the best overseas links, says Japan-based UK professor

Former business secretary also voices concerns over impact of Prevent on campus debates

UK students have ‘inflated’ views of their preparedness for the job market compared with undergraduates elsewhere, a major international study contends

As China's president visits the UK, heads of UCL, LSE and the Royal Society all warm to his slogan "the Chinese Dream"

The Chinese president is visiting several of the UK’s top universities. But would they thrive in China? 

Independent investigation of university finds professor’s academic freedom was not protected after blog posts on gender balance in university’s leadership

Do the socially conservative societies of Asia stifle creativity, or is this a myth created by a complacent West? asks Jack Grove

Prevent: institutions must not let platitudes about freedom of expression create an ‘illusion of debate’, says Rupert Sutton

Andrew Hamilton warns politicians against ‘false economies’ in his final annual speech

The ‘naming and shaming’ of universities that have hosted extremist speakers has raised more questions about the intentions of the Prevent agenda, says Jack Grove