Committee for Academic Freedom
@ComAcFreedom
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Speaking out about threats to freedom in UK universities.
Joined October 2023
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Whistleblowers at four London universities have shown CAF details of online training courses which have to be taken regularly as a condition of employment and promotion. These courses amount to indoctrination.
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REVEALED: In a ground-breaking investigation, CAF finds that nine UK universities have policies which would label gender-critical academics transphobic. This discovery raises significant concerns about academic freedom and the definition of transphobia in higher education.
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Exciting News: Introducing the Committee for Academic Freedom, a non-partisan group dedicated to defending academic freedom in the UK! Learn more about our mission and how you can be part of this important cause.
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Some of these courses contain questions which have to be answered "correctly". This is compelled speech, and is illegal under UK law. See our full article here:
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At our launch yesterday, Dr. Kathleen Stock (
@Docstockk
) asked why modern British academics have become so reluctant to disagree with one another.
#ukhighered
#ukacademia
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Let’s not just campaign for free-speech in the abstract, urged Dr. Stock in conclusion. Let’s embody it in bold, abrasive argument. Watch the full speech and join the conversation:
#academicfreedom
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Prof.
@SunetraGupta
is an eminent epidemiologist and co-author of the
@gbdeclaration
. Her views on Covid lockdowns led to her being abused and sidelined by her academic colleagues. She has talked to CAF about her experience. For the full article, see here:
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UK Government Chief Scientific Advisor Dame Angela McLean (
@uksciencechief
) believes in “the single voice of consensus science”. From the Covid 19 Public Enquiry
@covidinquiryuk
.
#covidinquiry
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It’s not a left-wing plot, said Dr. Stock. It’s the unplanned effect of a number of new developments – the internet, student fees, obsession with “safety” - which together have generated a culture of conformity and mutual affirmation.
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A new CAF survey of UK academics reveals a disturbing landscape of oppression and fear. From gender to climate change to Covid, the number of issues on which people can speak freely is shrinking.
#ukhighered
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"Sex is assigned at birth." "'Black' should be capitalised." "We champion progressive attitudes." "We champion the social model of disability." These statements appear in training courses from
@imperialcollege
and
@ucl
.
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3/ But as Chomsky said, “if you're really in favour of free speech, then you're in favour of freedom of speech for precisely for views you despise.” Read our full article here:
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The Russell Group has urged OfS to give examples of "unlawful speech", including "gender critical speech".
It appears that the Russell Group has a tenuous grasp of the law in this country.
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CAF believes it's crucial that universities crafting trans-inclusive policies also protect academic freedom. Gender critical beliefs are protected under the 2010 Equality Act. 'Inclusivity' must not override freedom of thought.
#EqualityAct2010
#AcademicFreedom
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Here's the link to the full article:
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Jack Barwell, of Speak Easy Society, tells us about his experience with freedom of speech at
@UniofExeter
Debating Society (
@debsocexeter
) and how it resulted in a “Stop the fascist” campaign.
@jack_barwell
#academicfreedom
#freespeech
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The policies, many of them drawn verbatim from Stonewall, are found in universities including Imperial, Aberdeen and Plymouth. They define transphobia to include denying or refusing to accept a trans person's gender identity.
#HigherEd
#TransRights
#GenderDebate
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Another eight universities have vague policies against 'transphobic propaganda,' including 'written materials, graffiti, music or speeches'. This cannot but have a chilling effect on speech and debate within those institutions.
#FreeSpeech
#UniversityPolicy
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"I was told I couldn't talk about my research." Hear sociologist Prof.
@JoPhoenix1
discuss her fight for academic freedom and the challenges of gender critical research in UK universities:
#GenderCritical
#AcademicFreedom
#FreeSpeech
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"We have a monumentally big problem with academic freedom."
@MShipworth
's
@ucl
module was abruptly frozen following complaints by Chinese students. Watch an abstract of her interview with CAF:
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The Office for Students (
@officestudents
) is consulting on its proposed free speech guidance. The guidance includes 30 example cases, many of them based on recent failures to secure free speech in universities.
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@johnarmstrong5
This shows why it is important for universities not to be part of the Stonewall diversity programme.
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@MForstater
@billybragg
The courage shown by Prof. Jo Phoenix in standing for academic integrity is a stark reminder of the challenges that academia faces today. CAF applauds her resilience and reaffirms its commitment to defending the principles of scholarly freedom.
#academicfreedom
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Cambridge University Library is compiling a list of “problematic” books. The defence that CUL is not censoring is a distraction. CUL is taking an “official view” on the contents of books, and that is an attack on academic freedom. Read the full story here:
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1/ Emmanuel College Cambridge has dismissed researcher Dr. Nathan Cofnas because of his “rejection of Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion policies”.
#AcademicFreedom
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@ProfAliceS
CAF board member Alice Sullivan has been cancelled in Canada, where things have gone even further than here...
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Queen’s University Belfast’s Trans Equality Policy on pronoun use could challenge legal protections for gender critical beliefs. By classifying certain pronoun usage as a disciplinary offense, it may contravene the Equality Act. Read more here:
@QUBelfast
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This is not Stalin’s Russia. This is Britain in 2024. Find out more here:
#academicfreedom
#freespeech
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@miffythegamer
@Docstockk
No, we simply don’t allow insults on our page. If you’re willing to advocate for curse words that’s your choice.
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Read more about this threat to
#AcademicFreedom
and the case that
@JamesEsses
launched against
@Metanoia_Inst
at the employment tribunal in our latest article:
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Universities are using “microaggressions” to shut down debate. Thanks to
@Telegraph
for spreading the word about our report.
🔴 Academics say guidance on eliminating subtle forms of discrimination undermines a culture of free inquiry
Read more ⬇️
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The consultation is open until 26 May. CAF urges anyone with an interest in academic freedom to respond. Read our full report here:
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“Papers never get written. People don't work on certain topics.” “I never ever disclose my views.“ “I live in fear of conflict.” “I've been shunned by nearly all my colleagues.”
#CancelCulture
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Last Friday saw the launch of the "London Principles for Academic Freedom", a clear and strong statement by
@lucaf_london
. We urge all UK universities to adopt them.
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Excellent article by Kathleen Stock (
@Docstockk
) in
@unherd
, calling on academics to display their commitment to free speech with arguments “that take deliberate aim at the stupidity of colleagues and managers”.
#freespeech
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@ucuedinburgh
tried to prevent the screening of 'Adult Human Female' in
@EdinburghUni
last night. Just days earlier, it called for the protection of free speech. Either it is hypocritical or abysmally confused.
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@Katthryn_Egan
@Docstockk
Wrong assumption, sorry. As many others before you have rightly spotted that’s an AI generated image of a generic academic building that’s meant to represent the broader landscape of higher education institutions in the UK.
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@ProfAliceS
was scheduled to present her insights on sex and gender data to
@JusticeCanadaEN
for International Women’s Day. Unexpectedly, her talk was cancelled, with a thinly veiled suggestion that the topic of sex is off-limits in Canada.
#academicfreedom
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Our latest CAF investigation shows how universities are using the concept of “microaggressions” to silence legitimate points of view. Read our full report here:
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@ProfAliceS
@JoPhoenix1
We're truly heartened by Prof.
@JoPhoenix1
's resilience in her quest for academic integrity. Her triumph is a beacon for those championing diversity of thought in academia.
@ProfAliceS
, thanks for amplifying this crucial dialogue.
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In campuses across the UK, pride flags are routinely draped over public buildings: see this, from
@UniofExeter
yesterday.
What is the effect of such displays on traditional Jews, Christians, Muslims and others, who may not agree with the values they express?
Any thoughts?
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A recent
@Telegraph
article shows how
@KingsCollegeLon
's promotion policies push academics to work with groups like
@stonewalluk
and
@AdvanceHE
's
@Athena_SWAN
. Isn't this a threat to academic freedom? More here:
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CAF finds the guidance strong and impartial.
@UCU
, on the other hand, has called for the OfS to be abolished “as a vehicle of government authoritarianism”.
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Censorship in universities affects all academics and students – not just right-wingers. This article by our director Edward Skidelsky reveals how fear and oppression have come to pervade the whole sector:
“Solving this crisis in higher education should transcend the division between the right and the left.”
🖊️ Edward Skidelsky
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KCL Israel Society has been forced to cancel an event after a virulent social media campaign. One of its invited speakers, Ely Lassman, received numerous death threats. See the full report here:
@KingsCollegeLon
#academicfreedom
#freespeech
#highereduk
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Liverpool Hope University has cancelled a talk by Professor Avi Shlaim, who is critical of Israel. This is a shocking violation of academic freedom. Read CAF’s coverage of the events here:
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2/ Universities should not issue political statements. Nor should senior university administrators call on them to issue political statements. See our full report here:
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Admirable. But how does this square with its policy of "zero-tolerance" for "incorrect" pronoun use, reported on by CAF here?
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Queen's University Belfast has just put out this statement in relation to the Palestine protests. It says: "QUB is committed to freedom of expression, the right to hold a range of views."
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A newly published survey of
@ucu
members reveals that 56% of them believe that academic freedom is in decline in the UK.
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1/ The head of EDI at Oxford, Vernal Scott, has signed a letter calling on the university to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.
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2/ Dr. Cofnas is a “race realist” – he believes that there are innate differences of average intelligence between races. Many people will hate and despise that view.
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@_d1llon
@Docstockk
We encourage open dialogue about our mission and actions. And we welcome scrutiny: feel totally free to voice your suspicion Dillon.
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On 18 March 2018,
@UniofExeter
student Rob Ivinson was on the phone to a friend in his room. Among other things, he said “veganism is wrong” and “gender-fluidity is stupid”. Watch here:
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With a cowardly and evasive statement, the
@rcgp
has shockingly abdicated its responsibility to guarantee academic freedom for gender-critical academics and doctors. Read our report here:
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3/ Chinese students should be welcome in the UK, but not under these conditions. UK universities should not be underwriting political indoctrination. See our full report here:
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But the explanation is clear: the Canadian Government objects to Sullivan’s belief that data should be collected on sex as well as gender. This is a shameful violation of academic freedom. Learn more about the cancelled talk here:
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Shipworth’s ordeal highlights the dependence of UK universities on overseas students’ fees. “So many of my colleagues have started to see it like some kind of beauty salon” she comments. Watch the full length video of Shipworth's interview here:
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Do you think that “the most qualified person should get the job”? Or that “everyone can succeed if they work hard enough”? If so, you may be guilty of a microaggression, according to the University of Glasgow (
@UofGlasgow
).
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"Going against the tide of fashionable ideology is a hard path for academics, who are judged according to their grant income and the volume of outputs in top journals." Excellent article by John Armstrong on the Cass Review and the failure of UK academia.
The Cass Review shows that the academic community has failed gender-questioning children. I explain how the erosion of academic freedom allowed this medical scandal to happen. 👇
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.
@ucl
and other UK universities should resist pressure to issue statements on either side of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Universities are not campaigning organisations.
🚨📢RALLY THIS FRIDAY! 1pm @ MAIN QUAD 🍉🇵🇸
Our successful occupation forced the provost to agree to meet us on Friday afternoon. Let’s send him into the meeting knowing that the UCL community will always stand with Palestine.
We won’t be intimidated, until we’re liberated✊🏼✊🏾✊🏿
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Thanks
@MailOnline
for spreading the word about our study. Universities should not use the dubious notion of the "microaggression" to stifle free speech.
#AcademicFreedom
#HigherEd
Saying 'the most qualified person should get the job' is a microaggression, Britain's top universities insist
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Wrexham University has fired a professor for posting that Welsh road signs ought to be written only in English. This is an absurd and grotesque violation of academic freedom. Read the full story:
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@nosiehomosexual
We appreciate the share,
@nosiehomosexual
. Every tweet spreading word about our report is a step towards ensuring academic freedom for researchers to openly explore and express their ideas.
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Sullivan was told that her promised honorarium would not be paid because “the Department of Justice did not want any record of me on their books”. She was told that no written explanation of her cancellation would be given.
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KCL's promotion policy may break equality law, finds leading barrister Akua Reindorf KC (
@akuareindorf
):
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@docMfan
@Docstockk
@AFAF_freespeech
Thank you for your question. AFAF are doing a great job and we work closely with them. We have a somewhat different focus. We agree that we need to avoid duplication.
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1/3 The call for a new definition of "extremism" by
@michaelgove
could have far-reaching implications for academic freedom in the UK. The proposal suggests universities might be forced to denounce staff for simply holding radical views.
#AcademicFreedom
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The study tactfully passes over UCU's own contribution to the decline of academic freedom. Nonetheless, it is an important document. It explodes the myth that the "free-speech crisis" in universities is an invention of the right-wing press
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Her colleagues seconded the complaints, accusing her of bias against Chinese students. Her module was taken from her and restrictions were put on her teaching.
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@runthinkwrite
@soniasodha
Prof. Jo Phoenix's ordeal reveals the necessity of safeguarding academic discourse from coercive pressures. CAF remains dedicated to supporting scholars who courageously uphold the tenets of free and fair academic inquiry like she did.
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@soniasodha
The courage shown by Prof. Jo Phoenix in standing for academic integrity is a stark reminder of the challenges that academia faces today. CAF applauds her resilience and reaffirms its commitment to defending the principles of scholarly freedom.
#academicfreedom
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1/2 A new report by
@NatSecSoc
reveals that 21 UK universities (including
@imperialcollege
,
@EdinburghUni
,
@UniofNottingham
and
@lborouniversity
) have adopted a definition of Islamophobia that could stifle free enquiry.
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Recently published "Academic Freedom Index" update ranks UK 66th in world, lower than any other Western European country.
#AcademicFreedom
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🚨
@ref2029
revisits its "People, Culture & Environment" 's weighting. This comes with critical implications for academic freedom. Learn more about what this means for UK's higher education landscape in our latest article.
#AcademicFreedom
#REF2029
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Rob was hauled before a disciplinary tribunal and handed a “behavioural contract”. He has finally gone public with his story. Watch his interview with CAF here in full:
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Unknown to Rob, his neighbour was listening through the wall. A few hours later Rob got a knock on his door from campus patrol. “You’ve been saying some very offensive things” he was told.
#freespeech
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Correction: the 2010 Equality Act does not apply to NI. However, Queen’s University Belfast’s policy on pronoun use is still an infringement of the moral right of academics and students to use language that reflects their own beliefs about sex and gender. It should be scrapped.
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According to
@EdinburghUni
, microaggressions often take the form of “questioning an individual’s lived experience” or “denying individual prejudice”. Examples include stating of a third person “I’m sure they didn’t mean anything by that” or denying that one is a racist.
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Do you have evidence of barriers to accurate collection of data on sex and gender? Submit your responses here.
🚨Deadline for submissions to the call for evidence is 3rd June🚨
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UK tribunal rules anti-Zionist beliefs are protected under the Equality Act, a landmark decision for academic freedom. Discover the implications of the David Miller (
@Tracking_Power
) vs
@BristolUni
verdict. Full story here:
#equalityact
#academicfreedom
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1/ UK universities, including all Russell Group universities, are co-funding scholarships which are awarded and administered by the “Chinese Scholarship Council”.
#AcademicFreedom
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@JoPhoenix1
Thank you for championing a culture where challenging ideas can be explored respectfully and without fear of being suppressed. Your experience underscores the need for robust support systems for academic staff.
#AcademicFreedom
#HigherEducation
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In response to the expulsion announced by
@Metanoia_Inst
in the tweet below,
@JamesEsses
successfully challenged the decision and won against the UK Council for Psychotherapy (
@UKCP_Updates
).
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Thank you,
@Telegraph
, for highlighting the findings of our recent report. It is imperative that the academic community and the public are informed about the challenges surrounding academic freedom in the UK.
#AcademicFreedom
#HigherEducation
#freespeech
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@LairyMilk
@079_acronym
@GPair10
As an organisation, we have no view on transgenderism. Our position is that, whatever your view is, you should be able to express it. And we write on many other issues as well. Have a look at monitor: Threats to Freedom - Committee For Academic Freedom ()
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Exeter student Rob Ivinson was penalised for comments overheard through the wall of his room. Today he talked about his ordeal with GBNews. See his original podcast with CAF here:
‘The discourse is getting shut down.’
Student at Exeter University, Robert Ivinson, shares his story being threatened with expulsion from Exeter University for saying that 'veganism is wrong.'
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@jeffsprogress
The CAF is keen to support any UK based academic whose academic freedom has been curtailed.
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@JoPhoenix1
@soniasodha
The ordeal you faced highlights the vital need to protect academic freedom and support scholars under duress. We stand firmly with you and those who champion truth and integrity in academia.
#AcademicFreedom
#FreeSpeech
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Academic freedom is under threat in the UK. Universities are aligning with political agendas and penalising disagreement. It's time for change!
#AcademicFreedomUK
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Great new venture at Cardiff University!
We’re very happy to announce the launch of Cardiff Academic Freedom Association (CAFA). CAFA has been founded to promote academic freedom and freedom of speech at Cardiff University. CAFA is strictly independent and non-partisan; it will only promote academic freedom.
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