Report finds growing pressure on academic freedom in 2025-2026, particularly over Palestine and Israel

A study has revealed an increase, between 2025 and 2026, in disciplinary measures and censorship targeting researchers and students.

The British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES) published on 05/08/2026 its first annual monitoring report by the Committee on Academic Freedom. The document highlights growing disciplinary and censorship measures targeting researchers and students, particularly over issues related to Palestine and Israel. It warns that such pressures are creating a climate of fear that threatens academic freedom and calls on governments to protect the right to education and provide asylum for academics at risk.

Lewis Turner, Chair of the BRISMES Committee on Academic Freedom and BRISMES Co-Vice President, said: "When scholars or students are prevented from speaking…