Academic freedom in higher education

The UCU is committed to promoting and protecting the academic freedom of its members and of UK higher education institutions.

Read the UCU statement on academic freedom

UCU Scotland agrees statement with Cabinet Secretary for Education

In October 2010 UCU Scotland held talks with Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education, and academic freedom was one item on the agenda. Following the meeting a joint statement was issued which included the following: 'The importance of academic freedom is recognised as is a good in itself, a necessary element in any civilised society. It is the best guarantee of good science and sound scholarship and as a secure basis for maintaining the success of our universities in attracting overseas students and providing an open and welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds and beliefs.': Joint statement between Cabinet Secretary for Education and UCU Scotland

Academic freedom in the 21st century

In November 2007 the then minister of state, lifelong learning, further and higher education, Bill Rammell MP published a speech entitled 'The last shadow of liberty?: Academic freedom in the 21st century'.

Academic freedom, free expression and whistleblowing in UK higher and further education: a discussion document

UCU published a discussion paper on 'Academic freedom, free expression and whistleblowing in UK higher and further education'. The deadline for comments has now passed, but further information is available here: circular UCU60 (.html) | circular UCU60 (.rtf)

UCU campaigned successfully against the sections of the Terrorism Bill which undermined academic freedom and threatened to criminalise both academics and librarians. UCU Scotland has also been successful in getting the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Bill to include a clause that extends academic freedom to individuals involved in research and teaching in all Scottish higher and further education institutions.

UCU also campaigns internationally to ensure the protection of academic freedom, through organisations such as Education International (EI), the Network for Education and Academic Rights (NEAR) and Amnesty International. We also support the UNESCO 'Recommendation Concerning the Rights of Higher Education Personnel', which lays down the guiding principles of higher education as a public service and the rights and freedoms of higher education staff.

Further information

• UCU members to debate academic freedom with Minister
• UCU responds to plans to spy on students, Oct 06
•  The terrorism bill and academic freedom, report stage briefing, AUT-Nov 05 (.pdf) [225kb]
• Academic freedom - the case of legal protection, AUT-EIS joint statement, Feb 05
• Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher-Education Teaching Personnel, UNESCO, (November 1997)