UCU Scotland warns that academic freedom is under threat at Scottish universities

UCU Scotland will warn that academic freedom is coming under increasing threat at Scottish universities, as it launches a new charter at the Scottish Parliament.

The charter will be launched at a reception which will be addressed by UCU Scotland president Lesley McIntosh, Claire Baker MSP and UCU general Secretary Sally Hunt.

UCU's charter, which is based on the 1997 UNESCO treaty on higher education, comes amid fears that Scotland institutions are failing to meet the UN's basic recommendations on job security and on teaching and research without interference.

Speaking before the launch of the charter UCU Scotland president, Lesley McIntosh, said: 'We believe that the freedom to conduct research, teach, speak, and publish without interference or penalty, are coming increasingly under threat in Scottish universities. We are seeing more and more cases of academic judgements being ignored by management and greater pressure being placed on researchers to produce more lucrative research. These are deeply worrying times.'

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, will say tonight: 'Academic freedom is absolutely vital to any civilised society, and it is essential that universities and politicians take note of our charter. We cannot allow academic freedom to be curtailed through commercial conditions being placed on research grants or the views of educational professionals to be ignored. Staff must have the ability to make decisions on students without fear of reprisal or penalty.'