Freedom of expression

Campaign groups say regulator should expect influx of cases, but many academics are still not aware that the long-delayed complaints scheme is set to launch

Nathan Cofnas says he will ‘probably be fired’ as Ghent begins disciplinary proceedings

Backers of current government accused of a ‘witch-hunt’ for urging institutions to take action against alleged supporters of previous regime

Ban on women entering higher education leading to loss of teachers and health workers, Unesco warns

Updated guidance reflects European Convention on Human Rights, which could make it easier for universities to restrict extreme views

Restrictions on events and teaching materials across Europe amount to ‘criminalisation of intellectual debate’, find Middle East experts

Claims of harassment made by sociologist David Miller also thrown out by appeals body

Modi promises action on exam leaks after mass protests forced Dharmendra Pradhan to step down

Since the war began, increasing numbers of dissenting students have been dragged through disciplinary procedures, says Roohola Ramezani

Indian prime minister makes rare intervention to try to ease unrest but protesters pledge to continue demonstrations

Students call for wider reform of India’s education system as new youth-led movement gathers support

A year after the University of Virginia’s president was ousted amid anti-DEI attacks, his ‘apolitical’ successor Scott Beardsley says institutional neutrality does not diminish the institution’s commitment to upholding free speech

Free speech group reports 43 institutions to regulator after identifying job adverts asking candidates to demonstrate commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Campaigners highlight concerns around way university handled student protests ahead of complaints scheme launching

Law professor will deliver talk on gender identity and sex next term after disruption forced abandonment of previous event

Hitherto unpublished Australian data unpacks the institutions and disciplines where freedom of expression is particularly ‘constrained’

Skills minister says regulator could have handled Sussex investigation better but ‘lessons have been identified’

University chancellor says both academic freedom and legitimate protest must be upheld on campus

Formal Prevent referrals increase by almost half year-on-year, while more universities report cancelling events owing to extremist views

Undergraduates’ opinions broadly in line with wider population on topics including artificial intelligence, capital punishment and Israel-Gaza war

Country’s efforts to satisfy EU demands on academic freedom need to go beyond legal changes, experts say

Open University scholars call for more self-governance on free speech issues, warning conflicts often ‘improperly’ dealt with

Ursula von der Leyen and Peter Magyar hail ‘great progress’ as leaders agree to unlock EU funds after Orbán defeat

Immigration, transgender issues and race among the topics many students avoid talking about on campus, OfS survey suggests

Istanbul Bilgi University handed reprieve after authorities abandon attempts to close it over concerns about parent company

New code confirms trans people can be excluded from facilities on basis of biological sex but experts say that does not make grappling with competing responsibilities any easier

The ruling in the Sussex case only strengthens our argument that restrictions at religious colleges are worse, say Chris Higgins and Keith Sharpe

Letting the judgment against the OfS stand is the best way to achieve freedom of speech and academic freedom across English HE, says Josh Fleming

Regulator says ‘prolonged litigation’ not in best interests of students or universities after High Court blocked record fine

Without correction by a higher court, the likely result will be confusion about what the Freedom of Speech Act requires, says Abhishek Saha

The verdict wrongly overlooks the Equality Act’s role in determining what universities can be expected to do to protect free speech, says Maya Forstater 

Campaigners suggest refusing to take a stance on contentious issues may be the best way to navigate new free speech requirements

Landmark legal ruling has exposed shortcomings of Office for Students’ approach but also inadequacy of regulatory tools, experts argue

University leader questions Arif Ahmed’s position after landmark court case highlights conflict of interest, as others cast doubt on future of regulator’s incoming free speech complaints scheme

The OfS’ approach was opaque, highly discretionary and appeared to lack basic procedural safeguards, says Smita Jamdar

The legal tools given to the OfS since the Sussex case occurred should make it better able to conduct the vital task of protecting free speech, says Ian Pace

Record fine overturned after landmark High Court case sparked by resignation of gender-critical academic Kathleen Stock

European alliances support institution’s rector after he called action a ‘crackdown on freedom of thought’

Free speech campaigners hail ‘overdue’ legislation but concerns remain about how judgements will be made 

Documentary tracks evolution of culture wars on US and UK campuses, with subjects often ‘petrified’ to speak out

Long-delayed grievance process will allow scholars who feel free speech rights have been impinged by universities to seek redress

Ivy League university also urged to look again at tuition costs, free speech rules and admissions policy after wide-ranging inquiry into declining public support

New Rutgers institute part of wider movement to help students enjoy ‘healthy experiences’ with politics

New vision for higher education in Hungary needed after defeat of populist leader, says head of Central European University

Regulator steps in to outline free speech and academic freedom obligations for English universities that work with states overseas

Political statements by management may appear to be viewpoint of institution, warns university free speech tsar

Staff and students protest after controversial scholar Nathan Cofnas moves to Ghent following free speech row at Cambridge

Drop in institutional autonomy of 50 per cent since 2015 means country is now only rated as ‘moderate’ by experts

We need greater openness among scholars on both the left and right to revise their views in light of counter-argument, says Martyn Hammersley 

Funding pressures and bureaucratic demands are undermining the credibility of scientists, says Maria Leptin

Party says it will recognise universities as central to ‘Wales’s economic future’, while cutting funding for institutions perceived as curtailing free speech

Islamic student groups in the UK say statements calling Iranian supreme leader a ‘martyr’ were ‘free speech’ and deny inciting violence

Lengthy wait for legislation to introduce an amended Office for Students-run grievance process is unnecessary, claim campaigners

Universities worst affected as lawyers collate database of incidents of ‘repression’

Universities ‘should be the gathering place where the tribes come together’ in a fraying democracy, Canberra conference hears

Students returning for a new semester reignite demonstrations and clash with pro-government groups, weeks after thousands killed or detained by regime

Forcing institutions to remain neutral on contentious issues will stifle – not protect – academic freedom, argues Gavin Schwartz-Leeper

Conservatoire accepts academic’s beliefs protected after he faced student boycotts owing to email questioning structural racism

Scholars still inside the country describe administrative purges, censorship, exclusion and fear as merit-based systems collapse under Taliban ideological controls

Raft of new policies in wake of terrorist tragedy leaves institutions struggling to balance obligations to well-being and free expression