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Explained in plain English

What is academic freedom?

Academic freedom protects university staff's ability to teach, research, and discuss ideas without fear of censorship or dismissal, even if controversial. It's vital for critical thinking and innovation, but its boundaries are often debated, especially when universities face financial pressures like those mentioned at Exeter and Nottingham.

Stories that explain this

Cutting university language courses risks social mobility, experts warn

Questions this opens up

Who protects academics? Can I say anything? What about free speech?

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