UK universities tackling extremism

Posted by admin in Academic Freedom on 07. Jan, 2010 | 0 Comments

Universities in the United Kingdom are grappling with the problem of how to tackle extremism, while maintaining academic freedom. The BBC reports:
Universities UK president, Steve Smith, said there had to be a balance between security and freedom of speech.
“It is essential that as a society we respond rationally to the issue of extremism,” said Professor [...]

Australia needs academic freedom

Posted by admin in Academic Freedom, News on 20. Oct, 2009 | 1 Comment

Since the announcement that the Commonwealth Government would act to legislate to protect academic freedom, we have seen this important right be turned into a political football.
Mike Riddiford writes in The Australian:
As befits such a protean concept, issues of academic freedom, or lack thereof, are pivotal to many academic controversies. For instance, when the University [...]

NTEU wins commitment to academic freedom protections

Posted by admin in Academic Freedom, News on 20. Oct, 2009 | 0 Comments

The NTEU has succeeded in convincing the Commonwealth Government to commit to legislating for the protection of academic freedom. The Australian reports:
DRAFT legislation to enshrine academic freedom and limit ministerial interference in university research could be released next year.
The legislation would also aim to thwart racist or other extreme attacks by academics on members of [...]

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