Evidence has emerged suggesting that China engaged in a sustained campaign of intimidation against Sheffield Hallam University, aiming to suppress research into alleged human rights violations. Documents obtained by the BBC indicate that university representatives in China were threatened by individuals identified as belonging to China’s National Security Service. These threats reportedly demanded an end to research activities being conducted in Sheffield concerning forced labor among Uyghur Muslims in China’s Xinjiang region.
The pressure extended beyond direct threats, with access to the university’s websites from within China being blocked. This move significantly hampered the university’s recruitment efforts for Chinese students, creating a climate of coercion that lasted for over two years. An internal university email from July 2024 highlighted the difficult position, stating that “attempting to retain the business in China and publication of the research are now untenable bedfellows.” The UK government, upon learning of the situation, issued a strong warning to Beijing, emphasizing that attempts to suppress academic freedoms in the UK would not be tolerated. The matter was also brought to the attention of China’s senior education minister.
The research in question, led by Professor Laura Murphy, focused on allegations of forced labor in Xinjiang, a region where China has consistently denied accusations of human rights abuses, including crimes against humanity and genocide. In late 2024, following sustained pressure from the Chinese state and a separate defamation lawsuit filed against the university, Sheffield Hallam decided not to proceed with the publication of Prof. Murphy’s latest findings on forced labor.
Subsequently, in early 2025, university administrators informed Prof. Murphy that she could no longer continue her research into supply chains and forced labor in China. This decision prompted legal action from Prof. Murphy, who accused the university of failing in its duty to protect her academic freedom. She subsequently submitted a subject access request, seeking internal university documents related to the case. These documents, she revealed, indicated that the university had “negotiated directly with a foreign intelligence service to trade my academic freedom for access to the Chinese student market,” a move she described as “patently explicit” regarding the university’s priorities.
In response to the revelations, Sheffield Hallam has since issued an apology to Professor Murphy and stated that she can resume her research. A university spokesperson explained that the decision not to continue her research was made considering various factors at the time, including difficulties in securing professional indemnity insurance. The university reiterated its commitment to academic freedom and free speech. However, the University and College Union expressed grave concern, calling for clear assurances that academics will be protected from foreign governmental overreach. A government spokesperson confirmed that such intimidation tactics would not be tolerated and that the UK government had conveyed this stance to Beijing.
The situation underscores the financial vulnerabilities of UK universities and their potential susceptibility to foreign influence, particularly when student recruitment is a significant revenue stream. The case highlights the ongoing tension between international collaboration and the imperative to safeguard academic independence and freedom of inquiry.