9 d. ago Trump is targeting US universities as never before. Here are four ways to help them | Cas Mudde

Supporters in Europe can offer new opportunities and minimise the isolation. Certainly they can avoid making things worseUniversities in the US are under attack. While the Trump administration pretends to punish them for their alleged compliance with or support for “antisemitism” (ie pro-Gaza demonstrations) and “anti-white racism” (ie diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives), the real targets are academic freedom and freedom of speech. Going after the most prominent and privileged universities, such as Columbia and Harvard, kills two birds with one stone: it garners prime media attention and spreads fear among other, far less privileged universities.The rest of the world has taken note and has started to respond, though mostly without knowing much about the specifics of US academia and without asking US-based academics what they need. Obviously, different academics face different challenges – depending on, for example, their gender and race, legal status, the state they live in...

Politics

1 week ago Edinburgh University gender row proves dangerous ideologues face a reckoning

There has been an erosion of free speech at Edinburgh University, argues Euan McColm

Politics

1 week ago Barack Obama breaks silence on Trump's 'unimaginable' presidency as he signals end to bromance

The 63-year-old took aim at the Republican leader's crackdown on law firms, press freedoms and free speech in universities.

Politics

1 week ago Universities review trans policies after Sussex Uni's record £585,000 fine for failing to uphold free speech as feminist academic was 'hounded out' by activists

Universities are reviewing their transgender equality policies in the wake of a record fine handed to the University of Sussex after feminist Professor Kathleen Stock was hounded out of her job.

Events

2 w. ago MATT GOODWIN: Just as an academic hounded out of her job wins victory for free speech, I fear Labour is planning to WRECK a new law that would protect heroes like her

Let's not kid ourselves - we've just seen a significant victory in the fight to ensure that free speech survives in Britain's universities.

Society

2 w. ago Sussex University must ‘move on’ from free speech row after fine, academic says

Professor Kathleen Stock claims many ‘dim-witted’ and claustrophobic trans policies are still in place at universities.

Politics

3 w. ago Universities may face fines higher than £585k over free speech, watchdog warns

The Office for Students issued a record high fine to the University of Sussex after an investigation found it had failed to uphold freedom of speech.

Events

3 w. ago University is fined £585,000 for failing to uphold free speech after feminist professor Kathleen Stock was hounded out of work by trans activists

The University of Sussex was handed the penalty by the higher education regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), which criticised its policy statement on 'Trans and Non-Binary equality'.

Economics

3 w. ago University fined £585,000 following free speech investigation

The Office for Students found the University of Sussex had failed to uphold freedom of speech.

Economics

3 w. ago England’s university regulator issues record fine in Sussex free speech case

Policies intended to prevent abuse or harassment of certain groups on campus had created ‘a chilling effect’, OfS says

Politics

3 w. ago US academic groups sue White House over planned deportations of pro

Trump administration is accused of inciting ‘climate of repression’ and stifling free speech on campuses, including Columbia UniversityUS academic groups have sued the Trump administration in an effort to block the deportation of foreign students and scholars who have been targeted for voicing pro-Palestinian views and criticism of Israel.The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the Middle East Studies Association (Mesa) filed a lawsuit at a US federal court in Boston on Tuesday accusing the administration of fomenting “a climate of repression” on campuses and stifling constitutionally guaranteed free speech rights. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Trump has turbocharged the attacks on free speech at US universities. I have seen it first

For speaking up for Palestine, I have been targeted – and have seen colleagues and students face arrest and sanctions Sandy Tolan is a professor at the University of Southern California in Los AngelesThe Trump administration’s attempted deportation of the Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent legal resident of the US, is sparking outrage and nationwide protests. But as shocking as his arrest may have seemed to the world, it was sadly unsurprising to those of us on the frontlines of the war at home over Gaza. Here in the US, a building fury of anti-Palestinian hatred, especially since the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, is giving Donald Trump cover to cleanse the country of “undesirables” and undermine free speech and academic freedom.“If you love Hamas so much why not pack up and move to south Gaza,” an infuriated reader wrote to me last spring, after the LA Times published my opinion article criticising my own university, the University of Southern Californ...

Politics