Right-leaning or pro-Brexit academics are ‘censored’ on British university campuses, report warns

Academic freedom in British universities is in danger as the minority of academics with Right-leaning or pro-Brexit views feel they have to censor what they teach and discuss, a report has warned.

A survey for the Policy Exchange think-tank found that political affiliations among academics in UK universities have changed in recent decades, with fewer than 20 per cent saying they voted for Right-leaning parties in the 2017 and 2019 elections.

This compares with 75 per cent voting for Labour, the Liberal Democrats or the Greens. 

The paper, titled Academic Freedom in the UK, suggests there is a ‘structural discriminatory effect’ against the minority of academics at British universities who identify as being on the Right. 

The paper argues that higher education institutions and the Government must do much more to ensure that all lawful speech is protected on university campuses.

A YouGov poll for the report, of 820 current and former academics, found that just over half of respondents said they would feel comfortable sitting with a colleague who is a Leave supporter at lunch, in a meeting or in the staff room.

But more than four in five said they believed academics who were pro-Remain would feel comfortable expressing their views to colleagues.

A survey for the Policy Exchange think-tank found that political affiliations among academics in UK universities have changed in recent decades, with fewer than 20 per cent saying they voted for Right-leaning parties in the 2017 and 2019 elections (file photo)

The report suggests that Right-leaning academics are more likely to choose to ‘self-censor’ compared to colleagues who are centrists or on the Left.

Some pro-Leave social sciences and humanities academics said they had refrained from publishing or airing views in research and teaching for ‘fear of consequences’ to their careers. 

The paper warns: ‘The challenge today is that a serious threat to academic freedom may now arise from within universities.

Academic Freedom in the UK, suggests there is a ‘structural discriminatory effect’ against the minority of academics at British universities who identify as being on the Right (file photo) 

‘This internal threat derives from the way that some in the university – both students and faculty members – relate to others on campus, being willing to penalise them on the basis of their perceived or actual political views.’

The report calls on the Government to make it explicit in law that universities have a direct duty to protect academic freedom and freedom of speech. 

Universities minister Michelle Donelan said: ‘This Government is committed to bringing forward measures to strengthen free speech and academic freedom, potentially including legislation.’

But Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union, dismissed the findings. She said: ‘The idea that academic freedom is under threat is a myth.’