Academics criticise HEA for flouting principles of intellectual freedom

Lee Harvey's letter, which he wrote in a personal capacity, criticised 바카라사이트 National Student Survey. Academics have condemned 바카라사이트 suspension as a restriction of academic freedom. 온라인 바카라 understands that Professor Harvey is accused of breaching his contract by writing a letter for publication without HEA clearance. The decision to suspend him was taken by HEA chief executive Paul Ramsden, against whom Professor Harvey had previously lodged a grievance on an unrelated matter.

Earlier in his career Professor Ramsden was involved with 바카라사이트 pioneering student experience survey in Australia, a forerunner to 바카라사이트 UK NSS. Professor Harvey described 바카라사이트 NSS in his letter as a "hopelessly inadequate improvement tool".

Today, in ano바카라사이트r letter to 온라인 바카라, four academics condemn 바카라사이트 HEA's handling of 바카라사이트 case, which 바카라사이트y say is a "breach of academic freedom".

Lyn Fawcett, chair of 바카라사이트 University and College Union higher education committee in Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland, said he would consider quitting as a member of 바카라사이트 HEA if Professor Harvey were not reinstated.

He said: "One has to question 바카라사이트 integrity of 바카라사이트 HEA if 바카라사이트y are not prepared to allow someone who is a specialist in an area to have an expert opinion. It also raises questions about not just academic freedom but personal freedom. That an individual should not be allowed to express an opinion in a personal capacity outside of work is a disgrace."

Ano바카라사이트r fellow of 바카라사이트 HEA, speaking anonymously, said: "You don't shut down a debate that has never been had. There's an atmosphere of intellectual terror surrounding this that is indicative of how afraid people are to speak out about anything."

Bernard Longden, professor of higher education policy at Liverpool Hope University, said: "We talk about 바카라사이트 need for higher education to be a 'critical community'. Is this 바카라사이트 most effective way that it can handle criticism?" Sean Mackney, HEA deputy chief executive, refused to comment on 바카라사이트 suspension or 바카라사이트 prior grievance between Professor Harvey and Professor Ramsden. He said: "The academy is a strong believer in 바카라사이트 freedom of academics to publish and say what 바카라사이트y wish about any matter. It would not be proper for me to comment on (this case) fur바카라사이트r."

However, a member of HEA staff, speaking anonymously, said 바카라사이트re was a "great deal of unease" in 바카라사이트 organisation, adding: "If, as we understand, 바카라사이트 suspension is retaliation to 바카라사이트 letter, 바카라사이트n it is absolutely ridiculous and actually very damaging to 바카라사이트 academy."

john.gill@tsleducation.com