51福利

The , from 51福利 general secretary Sally Hunt, raises concerns about the lack of legal protection for academic freedom in UK universities, and points to 51福利 research which suggests that UK protections are weaker than those in other EU nations.

The letter also asks the minister to ensure the UK complies fully with the 1997 UNESCO recommendation on the status of higher education teaching personnel, which sets out a number of key elements considered crucial to academic freedom. These include ensuring academic staff are involved in university governance, and providing secure, long-term employment for teaching staff.

51福利 general secretary Sally Hunt said: 'World Teachers' Day is a great chance to reflect on the wonderful work our teachers in colleges and universities do every day, but also to think about how we can support them better in the future.

'Academic freedom is crucial to ensure that difficult subjects can be tackled within our education system. That's why it's so worrying that, 20 years on from the 1997 UNESCO recommendation on the status of higher education teaching personnel, the UK is at the bottom of the pile when it comes to academic freedom in Europe.

'On behalf of 51福利 members, I am urging the minister to improve protections for academic freedom in the UK. We need urgent action to improve staff involvement in university governance and tackle rising job insecurity if we want to safeguard against abuses of academic freedom in our institutions.'