Recent revelations suggest that China engaged in a systematic campaign of intimidation and harassment targeting Sheffield Hallam University. This alleged pressure aimed to force the institution to cease its research into suspected human rights abuses in China, specifically concerning allegations of forced labour involving Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang.
Documents obtained by the BBC indicate that university staff in China faced threats from individuals described as belonging to China’s National Security Service. These threats reportedly demanded the immediate cessation of research activities being conducted in Sheffield. Furthermore, access to the university’s websites from within China was reportedly blocked, impacting its ability to recruit Chinese students. This campaign of pressure and intimidation is said to have persisted for over two years.
An internal university email from July 2024 reportedly stated that “attempting to retain the business in China and publication of the research are now untenable bedfellows.” The situation escalated to the point where, following pressure from the Chinese state and a defamation lawsuit against the university, Sheffield Hallam decided against publishing a key piece of research by Professor Laura Murphy and her team. In early 2025, Professor Murphy was informed that she could no longer continue her research on supply chains and forced labour in China.
Professor Murphy initiated legal action against the university, asserting a breach of her academic freedom. Documents she obtained reportedly showed that the university had negotiated with a foreign intelligence service to potentially compromise her research in exchange for access to the Chinese student market. Professor Murphy expressed her dismay, stating, “I’d never seen anything quite so patently explicit about the extent to which a university would go to ensure that they have Chinese student income.”
Sheffield Hallam University has since issued an apology to Professor Murphy, pledging to protect her academic freedom and allowing her to resume her work. A university spokesperson cited complex circumstances, including the inability to secure professional indemnity insurance, as reasons for the initial decision, while emphasizing their commitment to academic freedom.
However, the University and College Union has voiced strong concerns, with its general secretary stating that it is “incredibly worrying that Sheffield Hallam appears to have attempted to silence its own professor on behalf of a foreign government.” The union is calling for clear assurances from the university on how it will protect academics from foreign interference.
A government spokesperson acknowledged the seriousness of the matter, confirming that the UK government has made it clear to Beijing that attempts to intimidate or harass individuals in the UK will not be tolerated.
The Chinese Embassy in London, however, contested the university’s research, labeling it as “fake reports” containing serious flaws and suggesting that some authors received funding from US agencies. Professor Murphy confirmed receiving funding from various US and UK government sources for her research, but maintained the integrity of her work.
This case highlights the increasing challenges faced by UK universities in navigating international relations and academic freedom, particularly in the face of pressure from authoritarian regimes.