A new report has claimed that Right-leaning and pro-Brexit academics are being compelled to hide their views and censor what their teaching, which in turn is putting academic freedom at risk. The report conducted by the Policy Exchange think tank has concluded that that academic freedom within British universities could be in danger if this is allowed to continue.
The think tank has also urged the Government to do more to ensure that all lawful speech is protected on university campuses across the country. The paper that is entitled ‘Academic freedom in the UK’ describes a “structural discriminatory effect” against the minority of academics at British universities who identify as being on the right.
The paper goes on to cite: “Hostile or just uncomfortable attitudes signal to those subject to such discrimination that they should conceal their views and narrow their research questions to conform to prevailing norms, if they wish to progress and enjoy a positive workplace experience”.
Some pro-Leave social sciences and humanities academics have said that they had not published or aired views in research and teaching as a result of a “fear of consequences” to their careers, according to the think tank paper. The paper warns: “The challenge today is that a serious threat to academic freedom may now, in addition, arise from within universities. This internal threat derives from the way that some in the university-both students and faculty members-relate to others on campus, being willing to penalise them on the basis of their perceived or actual political views”.
The Universities minister Michelle Donelan has said: “University leaders must do much more to champion freedom of speech, and this Government is committed to bringing forward measures to strengthen free speech and academic freedom, potentially including legislation. It is deeply concerning the extent to which students and academics with mainstream views are being silenced and discriminated against in our universities”.
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Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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