The Israel-Gaza War and its Impact on Academic Freedom

Across parts of academia, concerns are mounting that the Israel-Gaza war is having a chilling effect on academic freedom. In the second of two episodes exploring how the war is affecting life at universities, we speak to an Israeli legal scholar, now based in the UK, about the pressures that academics and students are facing to rein in their views about the war.

Featuring Neve Gordon, professor of international law and human rights, Queen Mary University of London in the UK.

This episode was written by Gemma Ware and produced by Mend Mariwany. Sound design is by Eloise Stevens and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits available here. A transcript is now available.

Further reading and listening:

• American universities in the spotlight over reaction to Israel-Gaza war – podcast
• Israel-Gaza: what the term genocide means under international law – podcast
• Defending space for free discussion, empathy and tolerance on campus is a challenge during Israel-Hamas war
• Why university presidents find it hard to punish advocating genocide − college free speech codes are both more and less protective than the First Amendment