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Chris Havergal

@chrishavergal.bsky.social
769 followers 443 following 1.4K posts

Editor, @timeshighered.bsky.social

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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 13h
100+ academics linked to UK institutions have unknowingly contributed to projects funded by a research institute “with very strong ties” to China’s intelligence service, according to MI5 www.timeshighereducation.com/news/mi5-iss... via @rosalindskillen.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
MI5 issues China espionage warning to UK universities
Universities have urgently been told to review their ties with Chinese research institute after spy warning
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 13h
Bucks New University student visa sponsor licence suspended www.timeshighereducation.com/news/bucks-n... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Bucks New University student visa sponsor licence suspended
Bucks New University has been suspended from issuing student visas, the Home Office has announced
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Hundreds of UK university students are still waiting for marks after this summer’s assessment boycotts, with some unable to graduate yet www.timeshighereducation.com/news/hundred... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Hundreds of students still without marks after boycotts – union
Learners left unable to graduate or progress by ‘last resort’ industrial action
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Kurdish academic faces trial in Turkey over US doctoral thesis www.timeshighereducation.com/news/kurdish... via @seher-education.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Kurdish academic faces trial in Turkey over US doctoral thesis
Germany-based sociologist Güllistan Yarkin has been accused of ‘public denigration of the Turkish state’ over passages relating to treatment of Kurds and the Armenian genocide
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Academics express dismay as AI used to reject half the grant proposals in a UKRI-funded call www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ai-only... via @francesjones.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
AI-only research grant rejection in UKRI-funded call sparks alarm
Artificial intelligence used to cull half of applications submitted by cybersecurity scholars, before they got to human eyes
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Raising tuition fees in England is the least popular education policy Andy Burnham could adopt, while universities are the lowest priority for government investment, new polling reveals www.timeshighereducation.com/news/voters-...
timeshighereducation.com
Voters sour on increasing tuition fees and university funding
Polling suggests sector is public’s lowest priority for education investment
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
EU moves to restore Horizon Europe access for Hungary www.timeshighereducation.com/news/eu-move... via @seher-education.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
EU moves to restore Horizon Europe access for Hungary
Universities which were once barred from funding because of their governance model could soon regain full access to the programme
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Reposted by Chris Havergal
Tes magazine @tesmagazine.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Leaders at Ormiston Academies Trust have paid tribute to an ‘extraordinary man’ and the trust's chair, Julius Weinberg, who died this week
tes.com
Tributes paid after death of trust chair Julius Weinberg
Ormiston Academies Trust recalls ‘extraordinary man’ whose career encompassed medicine, education and public service
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
"I know there’s this whole principle about…not having too much political interference. But I think things have gone the other way, where a lack of accountability has led to some bizarre, funny decisions, and this is ultimately public money." www.timeshighereducation.com/news/haldane...
timeshighereducation.com
Haldane won’t stop us defunding ‘bizarre’ research, Tories say
Shadow science secretary eyes ‘far clearer strategic objectives and priorities’ for UK Research and Innovation
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
@britishlibrary.bsky.social names former @ukspaceagency.bsky.social head @paulbate.bsky.social as new chief executive www.timeshighereducation.com/news/british... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
British Library names ex-UK space boss as new chief executive
Last incumbent left suddenly amid industrial action and in wake of devastating cyberattack
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Long-running strike action marking the start of the academic year on UK university campuses being driven by new wave of union militancy and could serve as “test case” for wider walkouts, experts say www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-univ... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
UK universities face autumn of chaos as ‘prolonged’ strikes planned
Unprecedentedly long strikes at Nottingham, Edinburgh and Dundee could be the shape of things to come, observers say
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Russell Group backs higher fees as £3,000 loss per student revealed www.timeshighereducation.com/news/russell... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Russell Group backs higher fees as £3,000 loss per student revealed
Chief executive Libby Hackett says top universities should charge more as scale of teaching deficit is revealed
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
‘Difficult political choices’ ahead as Welsh HE review begins, minister @cefincampbell.bsky.social tells @jgro-the.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/difficu...
timeshighereducation.com
‘Difficult political choices’ ahead as Welsh HE review begins
Education minister Cefin Campbell admits review will not remove the need for tough decisions on how to support both students and universities
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Quite a different - and, I suspect, welcome to many - tone being struck by principal Sally Mapstone as St Andrews tops The Sunday Times Good University Guide.
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Destructive game of policy copycat continues, as Australia follows UK in banning most international students from bringing dependants with them www.timeshighereducation.com/news/immigra...
timeshighereducation.com
Immigration cuts ‘wipe out Australia’s advantage’
Visa rights canned for dependants of most students and temporary graduates, with transfers to inferior courses also banned
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
University of Brighton seeks to redraw union recognition agreements and plans to close Falmer campus www.timeshighereducation.com/news/brighto... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Brighton looks to redraw trade union agreements and close campus
UCU and UNISON warn changes to trade union agreements could lead to unions being derecognised
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
UKRI should fund fewer, longer research projects, says new science minister, who criticises the grant application process as a "value-destroying activity" www.timeshighereducation.com/news/science... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Science minister: UKRI should fund ‘fewer, longer awards’
Chris McDonald backs UK Research and Innovation’s demand management push with dig at ‘value-destroying’ peer review
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Applications for UK study visas in peak month of August down 16% on last year - could cost universities £400m+ if that converts into a similar fall in registrations www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-stud... via @pauljump.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
UK student visa applications fall sharply in key month of August
The drop follows a small rise in the equivalent month last year and is likely to sound alarm bells around cash-strapped sector
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
At @universitiesuk.bsky.social conference with president Malcolm Press unveiling plan for all undergraduates in England to do work experience as part of their degrees. Coverage from @jgro-the.bsky.social: www.timeshighereducation.com/news/all-und...
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
President of Universities UK defends decision to speak on panel at Reform UK’s annual conference after move was branded “dangerous” by @ucu.org.uk www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uuk-pre...
timeshighereducation.com
UUK president’s Reform conference appearance ‘dangerous’ – UCU
‘Engagement should not be confused with endorsement,’ says Malcolm Press after speaking on a panel alongside Suella Braverman
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
A “no surprises” approach to regulation at the Office for Students is good, but there was no surprise in the Sussex case because it was predetermined, writes vice-chancellor Sasha Roseneil in @timeshighered.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/ofs-...
timeshighereducation.com
The OfS’ response to its legal defeat is welcome but puzzling
A “no surprises” approach to regulation is good, but there was no surprise in the Sussex case because it was predetermined, says Sasha Roseneil
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
University of Cambridge v-c Deborah Prentice has given personal assurances to ministers that investigation into Jason Arday’s professorial appointment will be independent and rigorous, peers told www.timeshighereducation.com/news/smith-m... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Smith ‘more than keeping an eye’ on Cambridge Arday investigation
Minister tells peers OfS and others will closely examine findings of ‘independent’ probe
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Office for Students promises a "no surprises" approach to future regulation in review of University of Sussex court ruling, with enforcement action only being taken where necessary www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ofs-pro... via @seher-education.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
OfS promises ‘no surprises’ approach after Sussex ruling
Regulator says it will adopt more collegiate attitude following High Court defeat
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
University of Southampton drops Turnitin over fears the company might use students’ work to train artificial intelligence www.timeshighereducation.com/news/southam... via @georgialouluck.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Southampton dumps Turnitin over use of students’ work to train AI
Academic integrity giant denies accusations as university declines to renew contract in favour of ‘other options’
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Trac data out today: universities’ research costs shortfall rises again, reports @julietterowsell.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers...
timeshighereducation.com
Universities’ research costs shortfall rises again
Recovery rate of research improves slightly in latest Trac figures, but remains well below historic highs
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
British Academy of Jewellery goes into liquidation, with HE courses closing with immediate effect www.timeshighereducation.com/news/british... via @georgialouluck.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
British Academy of Jewellery closes courses with immediate effect
Specialist provider shuts after losing grant support, with more than 200 students impacted
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
UK-style student visa dependant ban looms in Australia www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-styl...
timeshighereducation.com
UK-style student visa dependant ban looms in Australia
International students should be judged on their quality rather than their family ties, says immigration expert
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Universities should end the use of unsupervised remote exams “immediately” or risk undermining public confidence in the value of a degree, says Phil Newton in Policy Exchange report out today www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ban-all... via @georgialouluck.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Ban all remote unsupervised tests ‘immediately’, urges report
Universities’ continued use of online exams risks undermining public confidence in degrees, argues Policy Exchange
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Reposted by Chris Havergal
University of Cambridge @cam.ac.uk · 14/08/2026
“We are desperately saddened to hear this tragic news. Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.” 

Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
University of Cambridge announces launch of second independent inquiry in the space of a week, facing mounting pressure over institutional practices www.timeshighereducation.com/news/cambrid... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Cambridge to hold another review after losing tribunal
Vice-chancellor says university needs to look hard at how it handled allegations of bullying within Institute of Astronomy
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Greece's top court annuls operating licences of campuses of University of York, Keele University and Anatolia College - govt says "all necessary actions" will be taken to ensure "uninterrupted continuation" of courses www.timeshighereducation.com/news/greek-c... via @seher-education.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Greek court revokes licences for three foreign campuses
Sites linked to York and Keele are among those affected by the court ruling
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
High Court judge dismisses legal challenge brought by prospective international students prevented from studying in UK by government’s “visa brake” www.timeshighereducation.com/news/student... via @georgialouluck.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Students lose visa brake challenge in High Court
Judge admits policy ‘dashed the hopes’ of promising students but says they do not have a ‘right’ to study in UK
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
“Either higher-tariff providers are reaching their limits of what they feel is the share of a cohort they can take in, or after several years of quite large growths at undergraduate level, perhaps some of them are pushing at available capacity for now.” www.timeshighereducation.com/news/top-uni...
timeshighereducation.com
Top universities ‘reaching the limit’ in ‘harsh year’ for students
Expansion of cohorts lower than expected after higher-tariff institutions become more selective ‘at the last minute’
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Applications for UK student visas continue to decline (down 11% on last year) just ahead of the peak recruitment season www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-stud... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
UK student visas down again ahead of crucial recruitment period
Numbers drop 11 per cent compared to this time last year as stricter UK government immigration policies take effect
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Higher tariff institutions have increased enrolments for the third year in a row as a record number of 18-year-olds head to university in England, Wales and Northern Ireland www.timeshighereducation.com/news/elite-u... via @georgialouluck.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Elite universities increase share as record numbers progress to HE
Entry rate for 18-year-olds dips slightly and proportion heading to first-choice university also down on A-level results day
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Parents call on Goldsmiths, University of London to resolve dispute with staff and allow their children to finish studies as strike action stretches into 10th week www.timeshighereducation.com/news/parents... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Parents urge end to Goldsmiths dispute as strikes enter 10th week
With industrial action threatening graduations, parents of affected students urge parties to reach agreement
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
University of Cambridge’s vice-chancellor commits to independent investigation of Jason Arday’s appointment and tenure at the institution, promising to “learn from any mistakes” www.timeshighereducation.com/news/cambrid... via @twilliamsthe.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Cambridge v-c promises independent Arday investigation
Deborah Prentice calls case an ‘aberration’ that should not be used to undermine other black scholars
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
“Consolidation” of courses by universities could explain why there appear to be fewer programmes available through clearing this year, according to Ucas chief executive Jo Saxton www.timeshighereducation.com/news/fewer-c... via @georgialouluck.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Fewer courses in clearing ‘probably’ result of consolidation
Ucas chief says students may have reduced options this year but ‘number changing on a daily basis’
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
English universities challenging a government decision to prevent weekend-only students from receiving maintenance loans have lost their case at the High Court www.timeshighereducation.com/news/judge-r... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Judge rules against universities in weekend students case
Court sides with government that students studying only on weekends are distance learners and should not have access to maintenance loans
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
University of Cambridge whistleblower Wyn Evans, who raised concerns about bullying, has won case at employment tribunal - with v-c Deborah Prentice among the senior leaders criticised www.timeshighereducation.com/news/cambrid... via @georgialouluck.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Cambridge v-c criticised as whistleblowing academic wins tribunal
Deborah Prentice accused of just ‘rubber-stamping’ decisions amid university investigation ‘beset by delays’
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
The cost of studying at an international branch campus in India is twice as expensive as attending an elite local university but only a third of the cost of studying abroad www.timeshighereducation.com/news/indian-... via @rosalindskillen.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Indian branch campuses twice as costly as local universities
Tuition fees vary widely across new UK and Australian bases, finds analysis
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
"We are united in the belief that the current repayment framework requires urgent review," 120+ politicians say on student loans www.timeshighereducation.com/news/mps-joi... via @georgialouluck.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
MPs join forces to call for ‘urgent review’ of student loans
Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem and Green politicians urge new chancellor to make system more ‘supportive of aspiration’
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
“High-risk” franchising agreements would need regulator approval under “accountability framework” for university partnerships proposed by former @qaa.ac.uk chief exec @vickistott.bsky.social in @hepi-news.bsky.social paper www.timeshighereducation.com/news/hand-of... via @georgialouluck.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Hand OfS powers to block risky franchise deals, report says
Proposed approval regime would require partnerships to justify educational need and be subject to ‘enforceable limits’
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
The Bloomsbury Institute has been barred from sponsoring international students to study at its central London campus, two months after its licence was suspended www.timeshighereducation.com/news/bloomsb... via @georgialouluck.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Bloomsbury Institute loses right to sponsor student visas
Provider allowed to continue teaching existing overseas students for ‘short period’ but some may need to transfer or consider leaving the country
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Journalists making legitimate enquiries should not face four-month police investigations. I'm glad that the Met have acknowledged that they were wrong to tell @jgro-the.bsky.social on my team that he should not contact the Cambridge professor Jason Arday www.timeshighereducation.com/news/police-...
timeshighereducation.com
Police admit it was wrong to tell THE reporter to stop enquiries
Force says actions of officer had the potential to ‘frustrate legitimate journalism’
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Reposted by Chris Havergal
Emma Yeomans @yeomans.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Jason Arday resigns. Regardless of everything, hard not to feel like he has been repeatedly failed by serial institutions, which failed to instruct him or guide him into reputable academic work, and traded off his story without checking it.
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
George Holmes coming out fighting tonight after being dismissed as University of Greater Manchester vice-chancellor www.timeshighereducation.com/news/george-...
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Sociology professor Jason Arday has announced he is leaving his role at the University of Cambridge after facing questions over his academic work www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jason-a... via @twilliamsthe.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Jason Arday resigns after Cambridge opens investigation
Star sociology professor quits amid allegations of plagiarism and academic misconduct
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
George Holmes departs as University of Greater Manchester vice-chancellor amid ongoing police investigation into the institution www.timeshighereducation.com/news/george-... via @twilliamsthe.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
George Holmes departs as Greater Manchester v-c
Governing body terminates contract amid ongoing police investigation into financial irregularities
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Office for Students softens free speech approach as complaints scheme nears - and in wake of Sussex ruling www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ofs-sof... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
OfS softens free speech approach as complaints scheme nears
Updated guidance reflects European Convention on Human Rights, which could make it easier for universities to restrict extreme views
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