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The signatories include some of the most eminent scholars in their fields. "The introduction of a ‘People, Culture and Environment’ (PCE) section, weighted at 25%, will weaken the link between research quality and REF performance". lucaf.org/viewdocument.p…

The assessment framework includes a number of criteria whose merit might be legitimately debated such as membership of the Athena Swan scheme and the Race Equality Charter, the creation of safe spaces and the inclusion of EDI activities in the promotion process.

These proposals pose serious risks to research integrity and quality, to academic freedom and to institutional autonomy and diversity. They will also lead to an unwanted increase in unproductive university bureaucracy at the expense of practical support for staff.

At a time of great economic difficulty for higher education, tying the hands of institutions in ways which will constrain innovation is unhelpful. Research England has not consulted meaningfully with the academic community and its decision making has been far from transparent.

We urge ministers and UKRI to look closely at these proposals and consider whether they are fit for purpose and support the proper priorities of universities and funding bodies. Read the briefing note: lucaf.org/viewdocument.p…

Archived story. Committee for Academic Freedom Academics For Academic Freedom web.archive.org/web/2025050506…

Excellent initiative by academics - as well as increasingly curbing academic freedom this is more bureaucratisation - last thing unis need right now

More Everythingism. Research England are consulting on giving more Research Excellence Framework points (and therefore more research funding) to universities which implement poorly-evidenced diversity and inclusion practices. Open letter from Professor Alice Sullivan and London Universities' Council for Academic Freedom 🔗👇

This plan to reform the REF poses a serious threat to academic freedom.

Professor Alice Sullivan UK Research and Innovation London Universities' Council for Academic Freedom Alice: Thank you and the others. Making the "robust[]" promotion of woke ideology a factor in REF consideration will only be harmful to the excellence of UK institutions of higher education.

A further article on our open letter about proposed REF reforms. researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-res…

Excellent piece with John Armstrong of London Universities' Council for Academic Freedom on the changes to the Research Excellence Framework, and how increases in bureaucracy have enabled activists to take over the process.

🧵How can universities promote the importance of free speech? From August 1, the main duties of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act come into effect. This Act requires universities in England to not only secure, but also actively promote, free speech and academic

1. Universities can visibly promote freedom of speech and academic freedom by hosting and supporting events that present a broad range of viewpoints on issues central to free expression in higher education, and by facilitating open debate on contentious or sensitive topics. In

2. We recommend that each university appoint an individual or committee responsible for promoting the importance of free speech and academic freedom among staff and students, advising senior leadership on compliance with the "secure" duty, and serving as a contact for internal

3. Universities can promote free speech and academic freedom by fostering a culture of constructive disagreement. This includes encouraging curiosity, humility, civil discourse, charitable listening, and commitment to evidence and reason. These intellectual and interpersonal

4. To promote a culture of open inquiry, universities should adopt a clear policy of institutional neutrality on political, social, and cultural issues that do not directly concern core academic matters or institutional operations. When a university takes sides on a controversial

5. The “promote” duty is also crucial for addressing external threats to free expression and for educating students and staff from international backgrounds about their rights to free speech and academic freedom under UK law. Many international students come from countries where

Requiring EDI statements in job applications is really just a test of whether you will toe the line more broadly. If universities want to hire unimaginative and uncritical people, why not just say that explicitly? timeshighereducation.com/news/edi-requi…

A new report by Alumni for Free Speech provides overwhelming evidence of the politicisation of hiring practice at UK universities. At least eight Russell Group institutions require statements of loyalty to EDI in appointments and promotions.