ACADEMIC FREEDOM – RHETORIC OR REALITY?

Academic freedom is a concept that has a particular significance in a University, not least in a University, which, uniquely in a British context, prides itself on its independence from the State. My interest in academic freedom was sparked by a set of instructions received in this instance from the...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Denning law journal 2012-11, Vol.22 (1), p.117-141
Main Author: Beloff QC, Michael J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic freedom
Litigation
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Academic freedom is a concept that has a particular significance in a University, not least in a University, which, uniquely in a British context, prides itself on its independence from the State. My interest in academic freedom was sparked by a set of instructions received in this instance from the Government of Hong Kong.  The issue in the prospective litigation was relatively simple.  The Department of Education had planned some reforms.  As is no more unusual in Hong Kong than it is in England, the proposals met with vocal opposition from certain academics.  A senior civil servant telephoned the head of the faculty of the Hong Kong institution of Education, the focus of the controversy and – it was asserted and indeed found by a Commission of Inquiry (“the Commission”) established to investigate the affair – suggested that the turbulent teachers be disciplined.
ISSN:0269-1922
2047-2765
DOI:10.5750/dlj.v22i1.356