LSE Academic Freedom
@acfreeLSE
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Staff network promoting academic freedom at LSE. “I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned." Feynman
London
Joined September 2023
If you work at LSE and support academic freedom then join LSE Academic Freedom now. If you know someone who works at LSE, pass this on to them. LSE staff members can join and find out more by going to our website here: https://t.co/LmiyinBpGH
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Interview with Larry Kramer, LSE’s Vice-Chancellor, on freedom of expression in universities and the need for universities to not “take positions on matters that do not directly affect the university itself”. Very worth reading. @lsenews. https://t.co/8gfPRTlGbC
blogs.lse.ac.uk
Into his second year as President and Vice-Chancellor of the LSE, Larry Kramer has dealt with a pro-Palestinian encampment, academic freedom infringements, and visa restrictions for foreign students....
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Another campaign to sack an academic for doing their job. If students or staff at Abertay are involved in this campaign they should be disciplined. See our Draft Code of Practice on AF, para 4.4: https://t.co/kni8Q5KyjV…
Dr Stuart Waiton says he has received emails and calls from people demanding he be sacked from his university role over the speaker session.
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#BREAKING news is finally out of the worst case of 🇨🇳 interference in UK academia I have ever seen - reported today in the Guardian (front page) and BBC. I’ve worked on this with Prof Murphy for two years, and here is the shocking summary: 1️⃣ PRC agents visited @SheffieldHallam
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We applied on 21/10/25 to be registered with the University of Cambridge Student Union. We have yet to receive a response. A successful application would allow us access to Freshers’ and Refreshers’ Fair Stalls, society promotion, and increased ease of use of University of
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"I feel I have a duty here, one that I feel I’ve been neglecting in my past few years of silence”, says Serena Worley, the 21 year-old Secretary of @CUSocOfWomen. All academics should read this brilliant interview with three courageous young women who put us to shame.
EXCL: "Women Launching Society for Women" shouldn't be news, but in the higher education sector in 2025 this is a controversial act. The students behind the CUSW tell of cancellation and gender propaganda everywhere. They've had enough. https://t.co/jKjFlYYVkr
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Here is a link to a PDF of the statement in support of Michael Ben-Gad with the final list of signatories. https://t.co/iJqlPtxPPc
drive.google.com
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Last day to sign — the petition closes at 5 pm and now stands just under 1,500 signatories. Let’s send a message that harassment campaigns have no place in British higher education, and that academic freedom must never yield to intimidation.
🚨 Nearly 1,000 academics have now signed an open letter defending an Israeli-born professor at City, University of London, branded a “terrorist” and “war criminal” by activists calling for his dismissal over compulsory military service in the 1980s. Read and add your name here:
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Now 1032 signatures - but do keep signing! We will keep this open until 17:00 on Friday 24 October. Show your support for Michael Ben-Gad, a distinguished economist held in very high regard by colleagues and students. https://t.co/LZveShRmHo
docs.google.com
21 October 2025 We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned by a targeted harassment campaign against Michael Ben-Gad, Professor of Economics at City St George’s, University of London, led by a group...
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Harassment is too vague. Universities need a specific disciplinary offence of “Obstructing academic communication”. Something like the below from our Draft Code of Practice on Academic Freedom: https://t.co/1ghe35yqsm
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Over 1000 signatures backing Prof Ben-Gad's right to teach @CityStGeorges, the vast majority academics from British universities. Well done @ianpacemain and @CityUniAFAF. The tide is turning. We can and will win. If you haven't signed already, do it now! https://t.co/WDj8mxa0Z3
docs.google.com
21 October 2025 We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned by a targeted harassment campaign against Michael Ben-Gad, Professor of Economics at City St George’s, University of London, led by a group...
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Now over 700 international figures, vast majority academics, have lent their support to Michael Ben-Gad. Please keep them coming. This should have been done when things kicked off for @Docstockk - that must never happen again. https://t.co/PjhDEfN2zl
docs.google.com
21 October 2025 We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned by a targeted harassment campaign against Michael Ben-Gad, Professor of Economics at City St George’s, University of London, led by a group...
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🚨Open Letter 🚨 Please sign below to express your support for Prof Michael Ben-Gad of City St George's, University of London. He is facing a vile, targeted harassment campaign to sack him on the basis of his national origin and religion. https://t.co/yDmtQVICzH
docs.google.com
21 October 2025 We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned by a targeted harassment campaign against Michael Ben-Gad, Professor of Economics at City St George’s, University of London, led by a group...
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Well done and thank you @CityStGeorges.
I should add that the response of the President and Senior Leadership Team of City St George’s has been exemplary (and that is Michael’s view), unequivocal in their support whilst trying to avoid giving the ‘oxygen of publicity’ to the protestors.
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Calling for the dismissal of academics where there is no formal claim of misconduct, like the current campaign against like Michael Ben-Gad, should be a disciplinary offence. See our Draft Disciplinary code of Practice on Academic Freedom [4.4]: https://t.co/JGOxkrTxil
Those demanding purges need to be purged. Tolerance must have limits, specifically against the intolerent.
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This petition, ostensibly from students, calls for the sacking of Prof Michael Ben-Gad of City University on the grounds that as an Israeli Jew he served in the IDF forty years ago (as required). This is vile, targeted harassment on the basis of national origin and religion.
SACK MICHAEL BEN-GAD IMMEDIATELY! - Sign the Petition! https://t.co/Six17oc1eo via @UKChange
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As with the Hamas book launch, LSE again proved its commitment to our community’s academic freedom by ensuring a discussion organised by a member of staff took place yesterday despite calls for its cancellation. Students also peacefully protested against it as is their right.
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At the @ComAcFreedom conference Arif Ahmed outlines 3 main areas of current concern about AF for OfS at the moment: - compelled speech; - foreign interference; - preventing criticism of institutions by their staff.
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@carlheneghan at the @ComAcFreedom conference on AF tells the story of how government suppressed communication by scientists who went outside the structures of academic gatekeeping and censorship during the COVID epidemic.
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Superb first panel at @ComAcFreedom conference on AF. Nadine Strossen spells out the opportunity for supporters of AF in the tit-for-tat Trumpist attack on AF.
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VCs take note: LSE’s “stance on free speech on campus is to be celebrated” say the compilers of the university guide that ranks LSE top uni in UK for 2nd year running.
lse.ac.uk
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 also names LSE as "University of the Year for Academic Performance", "Russell Group University of the Year" and "University of the Year in...
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