Building an evidence base through staff and student research to understand experiences of academic freedom and freedom of expression, inform University action, and assess change over time. From individual accounts to institutional evidenceAcademic freedom and freedom of expression are fundamental to the University's purpose, but experiences and understandings of them may differ across a large and diverse staff and student community.Public controversies can draw attention to particular cases without necessarily revealing wider patterns of understanding, confidence, or concern. Institutional decisions require an evidence base that extends beyond individual incidents or the most prominent perspectives alone.The programme therefore made systematic research a principal strand of its work, building evidence from staff and students to help identify priorities for action and enable the University to assess change over time. What we didA scoping review examined academic and grey literature on academic freedom and freedom of expression. It highlighted the need for further empirical research involving different categories of University staff.Exploring Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression: A Scoping ReviewA University-wide staff survey was held in 2026, deliberately including both academic and Professional Services staff, to establish a new institutional baseline.Conducted between March and May 2026, the survey examined staff understanding, confidence, experiences of perceived limitations, and views on University policies and practice.A complementary student survey launched in November 2026, extending this work across the University community and providing further evidence to inform future action.Selected questions from the staff survey are also intended for repeated use in the University's Staff Engagement Survey, enabling us to assess changes in understanding and experience over time. What the staff survey revealed 1,948 usable staff responses were analysed across academic, Professional Services and other staff roles (13.6% Survey response rate). 76%of academic respondents felt confident, often or very often, that they had academic freedom in relation to the research questions they address often or very often. 68% felt confident they have academic freedom in the topics they teach. 25%of academic respondents reported self-censorship as a perceived limitation to teaching or research on controversial topics. 54% perceived no limitation. 48%of respondents agreed or strongly agreeed that the University takes academic freedom seriously. 45% felt the same about freedom of expression. 92%said academic activity addressing controversial topics should meet a minimum standard of scholarly rigour. 61% neither agreed nor disagreed that the University has effective policies to protect academic freedom. Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression: Findings from All-Staff Survey 2026 What the findings meanRespondents described different experiences of academic freedom and freedom of expression. Most academic respondents reported feeling confident in exercising academic freedom concerning the research questions they address and the topics they teach. At the same time, some reported self-censorship, and others expressed uncertainty about University policies and decision-making.Open-text responses also revealed contrasting views about where protection is most needed. Some emphasised the rights of minoritised groups; others the protection of academics and invited speakers addressing controversial topics. The findings do not support a single verdict on whether these freedoms are secure or constrained across the University. They do, however, identify matters requiring clarification, further investigation and action. Understanding rightsSome respondents believed they held neither academic freedom nor freedom of expression. The findings point to a need for clearer communication about these rights and the basis on which academic freedom applies to different staff roles. Protest and contested activityRespondents emphasised scholarly rigour and distinguished between different forms of protest. Weaker confidence in freedom to protest points to a need for clearer guidance about its exercise. Policies and institutional decisionsRespondents expressed uncertainty about the effectiveness of University policies and concerns about the handling of contested events. The findings point to clearer policies, more transparent decisions and accessible routes for raising concerns. Perceived limitations and further researchSelf-censorship was the most frequently reported source of perceived limitation among academic respondents. Further research could explore these experiences, while also examining concerns about job security and institutional influence. Looking ahead: evidence for continued institutional learningThe research is intended to inform the University's existing responsibilities and decision-making processes. Staff findings will be considered through the Provost's Office and Human Resources, while student findings will inform established education and student experience structures.Both sources of evidence will also contribute to the University's arrangements for anticipating and reviewing emerging challenges to academic freedom and freedom of expression.Useful linksResearch Workstream: Terms of Reference List of Grey Literature reviewed by the Research Task & Finish Group Our story: 2023-2026 This article was published on Friday 6 November 2026
