Universities are part of the solution to dysfunctional Brexit debates

Academics have every right to teach and talk about Brexit, because they can help to address the problems it has raisedWe live in febrile times. Two weeks ago government whip Chris Heaton-Harris unleashed a wave of academic consternation when it was discovered that he hadwritten to every university in the UK to ask what they were teaching about Brexit and which of their professors were involved.Heaton-Harris gave no reason for the request, but the nationwide reach of his probe and its targeting of individual teachers was chilling. The MP beat a hasty retreat in the face of the outraged reaction,taking to Twitter to declare his belief in free speech in universities. Jo Johnson, the minister responsible for universities, had to go on BBC Radio 4 ’s Today programme topublicly reaffirm the government ’s commitment to the autonomy of universities, lately enshrined in the2017 Higher Education and Research Act.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Brexit Science policy Higher education Research Source Type: news