An important new study shows that many more US psychologists agree with certain "taboo propositions" than will let on publicly. This shows the danger of appealing to "consensus ". Consensus can just be another word for groupthink. afcomm.org.uk/2024/08/29/new…

The REF is consulting on its proposal to increase the weighting of its "Culture, People, and Environment" element. Currently, this makes no mention of academic freedom. Academics supportive of academic freedom should urge the REF to put this right: afcomm.org.uk/2024/08/30/ref…

Excellent question from Tonia Antoniazzi and encouraging response from Bridget Phillipson: "“Officials will engage with a wide range of views in this important area as we look at next steps.”

The government's decision to increase recording of "non-crime hate incidents" is full of risk, for academic freedom as well as for free-speech generally: afcomm.org.uk/2024/09/11/hom…

And now another Nobel laureate has added his name: Michael Levitt (Chemistry, 2013). That's 7 Nobel prize winners and 14 Fellows of the Royal Society. Britain's top scientists want to protect free speech in universities.

Prof. Dickins risked losing his emeritus status after he called for a "co-ordinated response" to a pro-Israel event on Leeds campus. Now Leeds has said he will keep his status but lose all the privileges associated with it. This fudge fools no-one. afcomm.org.uk/2024/09/12/dic…

"Bad things happen to people when free speech is denied." Labour MP Graham Stringer Graham Stringer MP in the Sun. thesun.co.uk/news/30431522/…

"If you come here, expect to encounter ideas you hate, that bite, that go to your identity". Stirring words from LSE's new VC Larry Kramer. We hope that other vice-chancellors follow his brave lead. thetimes.com/article/625326…

"Free speech isn’t a left or right issue, it’s a human rights issue." Everyone on the right and the left should be able to appreciate this point. Excellent piece by Erica Blair!

Please do give this is a read if you can. For free speech to become seen as a right-wing issue would be a disaster for us all - especially the left who it makes “appear censorious and intolerant”. Thanks to all those who shared their experiences and thoughts with me

"In the pursuit of offenceless discourse, we are enabling a creeping censorship that will deny the next generation of academics, politicians, scientists, artists – citizens – the power of free thinking." Superb summary of the state of the debate on free speech by Hannah Barnes

“Our principle is clear: if the speech is lawful, people can say it and we will not punish them” LSE is the Sunday Times University of the Year, and their new VC Larry Kramer is firmly committed to free speech. Will other VCs follow his lead and reaffirm their belief in

Judge finds that Dr Allan Josephson’s right to free speech was violated after the University of Louisville fired him for criticising medical transitions for minors. Interesting read in the The Telegraph and excellent work on the case by Alliance Defending Freedom! telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/0…

Will the Free Speech Act ever see the light of day again? Listen to Bridget Phillipson's (Bridget Phillipson) answer in this interview with Katy Balls

NEWSFLASH The Open University has today published the report it commissioned following my tribunal. ounews.co/around-ou/univ… Sex Matters Akua Reindorf KC Maya Forstater Women's Rights Network - WRN Professor Alice Sullivan Academics For Academic Freedom Edinburgh Academics for Academic Freedom Committee for Academic Freedom Julie Bindel

Can Toby Young (Toby Young) and the Free Speech Union (The Free Speech Union) save the Freedom of Speech Act through the courts? It looks like an uphill battle, but at CAF, we certainly wish them the best of luck! afcomm.org.uk/2024/10/01/can…

Durham University's oldest debating society, The Durham Union, has been blocked from Freshers' Fair for failing to improve its EDI record. telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/0…

The OU published the full report on Prof Jo Phoenix's Employment Tribunal. Sadly, it is more focused on "balancing the demands of EDI and free speech" than on preventing future harassment of academics with unpopular views. Read our full analysis here: afcomm.org.uk/2024/10/03/the…