Academic freedom and free speech - no ifs, no buts. Membership open to UK & Ireland postgraduates of all viewpoints. šļøš Repost / follow is not an endorsement.
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Congratulations to everyone heading to university in the autumn! š
Join @StudentAFAF and @postgradafaf to champion free speech and open debate on campus.
Sign up today!
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From 1 April 2027 the OfS is due to bring in new free speech conditions of registration for English universities, with the power to fine. Consultation is due later this year.
Six months to get ready. Has your university started?
#HigherEducation
commonslibrary.parliament.ukā¦
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The OfS complaints scheme opened on 1 September. By mid-September @ComAcFreedom found only 5 of 37 Russell Group staff procedures mentioned it.
Hard to use a route nobody has told you about. Does your university mention it?
#AcademicFreedom
afcomm.org.uk/2026/09/14/rusā¦
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Academic freedom in the UK is in decline. We're not alone. The 2026 Academic Freedom Index puts us with Germany, Italy, Austria, Portugal and Greece.
Less about what academics can say, more about governments reaching into how universities are run.
chemistryworld.com/news/acadā¦
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Your university sponsors your visa. The government licenses your university. How freely can you speak?
Free to Think 2026 says US entry bans on 39 countries have left international students and scholars exposed. Worth knowing in the UK too.
#PGR
insidehighered.com/news/facuā¦
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For PhD researchers who also teach. If your academic freedom is breached, who do you complain to?
Staff go to the Office for Students. Students go to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator.
Which would you use?
#AcademicFreedom #PhD
commonslibrary.parliament.ukā¦
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Postgraduate Academics for Academic Freedom retweeted
AFAF's Banned List is constantly updated. Recent entries include @FunmiOlonisakin, @historykev @gumptionology (March 2022) @jtworr (December 2021) and more. Always worth checking our List from time to time. @StudentAFAF @postgradafaf @AAFAI_org
afaf.org.uk/the-banned-list/
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Postgraduate Academics for Academic Freedom retweeted
The 4th AFAF Annual Conference - for members only - is on Saturday 21 November in Conway Hall, the home of free speech in London. It is never too early to book. Details in our newsletter. @StudentAFAF @postgradafaf
afaf.org.uk/afaf-annual-confā¦
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Postgraduate Academics for Academic Freedom retweeted
@postgradafaf @StudentAFAF @SexMattersOrg @WRNScotland @jk_rowling @roseveniceallan @CUSocOfWomen @acadofideas
This is important. The petition asks Government departments, the NHS, education and publicly funded bodies to use the words women, girls, mothers and pregnant women as the primary and default wording in policies, guidance and public messages. Please sign š
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Postgraduate Academics for Academic Freedom retweeted
Charlie Kirkās spirit burns bright in those of us fighting for free speech telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09ā¦
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Postgraduate Academics for Academic Freedom retweeted
Finally, an example of modern advertising which is not only not hugely annoying but one which sends a positive and urgent message
šØBREAKINGšØ
We've just installed giant billboards in London to stop the censorship crisis in Britain - pushing back censorial laws & speech policing.
@andyburnham launch a free speech reset now.
Join the fight to restore free speech in Britainā¤µļø
bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/
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Postgraduate Academics for Academic Freedom retweeted
This is a cross-party film dedicated to celebrating the incredible life of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe.
May she rest in peace.
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Postgraduate Academics for Academic Freedom retweeted
A survey by @BigBrotherWatch (reported in the Mail on Sunday) provides more evidence of how free speech is chilled in the UK. This is the climate in which academics and students work. @postgradafaf @StudentAFAF @LivingFreedomUK @Togetherdec @SpeechUnion
dailymail.com/news/article-1ā¦
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Postgraduate Academics for Academic Freedom retweeted
@jk_rowling This is what our case work shows. You have a right to say āXā but the way you said it is unprofessional, unacceptable and offensive. Disciplinary investigation follows. The process is then the punishment. @postgradafaf @StudentAFAF @SpeechUnion @DubUnisAFAF @LeedsUniAFAF
The fallback, which Iāve already heard several times, will be, āI didnāt disagree, I just didnāt like the way you were saying it.ā This, from men who publicly supported a movement threatening women with job loss, violence, rape and death for daring to defend their rights.
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Postgraduate Academics for Academic Freedom retweeted
Great to have @Tom_Slater_ from @spikedonline on @TalkTV for three hours this evening.
@postgradafaf @StudentAFAF @FraserMyers
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Postgraduate Academics for Academic Freedom retweeted
In October 2019 we launched our 'Heroes and Zeros' of the month. It was always hard to find a Hero but the many Zeros we listed are a record of the varied attacks on free speech in universities and in wider society. Take a look...
@FSW_Wales @postgradafaf @StudentAFAF @acadofideas @Togetherdec
afaf.org.uk/heroes-and-zerosā¦
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Postgraduate Academics for Academic Freedom retweeted
AFAF has a network of friends including many student groups. Our newest friend is The Advocate, a student group @UniofNottingham who defend free speech. @NottUnisAFAF @cricketwyvern @VPupavac @postgradafaf @StudentAFAF @UCL_Liberty @samisgyros
afaf.org.uk/the-advocate/
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Postgraduate Academics for Academic Freedom retweeted
SAFAF @postgradafaf and @AFAF_freespeech will be there - not to be missed!
Since 2005, the Battle of Ideas festival has been THE home of free thinkers and THE space where free speech has ALWAYS been welcome ā a space where everyone gets to think out aloud, from speakers to audience members.
Get 2026 tickets NOW š
battleofideas.org.uk/battle-ā¦
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Postgraduate Academics for Academic Freedom retweeted
AFAF News for September went out today. If you would like a copy, join our network by signing here:
afaf.org.uk/afaf-statement/
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Postgraduate Academics for Academic Freedom retweeted
Bloody far-right communists, standing up for women.
Communist Party Candidates in Edinburgh condemn the council over women's rights:
"We need to urgently implement the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of sex in the Equality Act 2010. @Edinburgh_CC must fully uphold womenās rights and protections under the Act, including the right to single-sex services."
theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2ā¦ via @EdinReporter
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Postgraduate Academics for Academic Freedom retweeted
A very useful tool in the fight for free speech. Well done @AFFSUK
The @officestudents free speech complaints procedure came into effect today. Our friends at @AFFSUK have produced some excellent guidance on how to make a complaint. @postgradafaf @lucaf_london @SpeechUnion @StudentAFAF @LivingFreedomUK @Togetherdec @spikedonline
afaf.org.uk/how-to-complain-ā¦
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