Brexit, academic freedom and where the law stands on universities being quizzed about what they teach
Anne Wesemann, The Open University It started with a letter . A seemingly simple request for information, sent by the Conservative MP Chris Heaton-Harris to university vice-chancellors . But you don’t even have to read between the lines before alarm bells start to ring, because in the letter, Heaton-Harris requests access to university course documents as well as the names of professors involved in “the teaching of European affairs, with particular reference to Brexit”. The UK government has distanced itself from the letter, which has understandably caused outrage at universities across the UK. Many academics have spoken of their anger at such requests, calling the letter “sinister” and accusing the MP of carrying out a “ McCarthy-style witch hunt ”. To put this into context, while asking a vice-chancellor for information regarding the institution generally is of no concern, it is unusual to address them for detailed matters of curriculum in this way. This is mai...