Human Rights Watch has warned that the Chinese government is exerting pressure that threatens academic freedom in the United Kingdom, following a series of incidents that demonstrate Beijing’s growing reach into foreign academic institutions. The warning stems from a high-profile case involving Sheffield Hallam University, where research into forced labor among Uyghurs in China was abruptly halted earlier this year. According to the report, the university restricted work conducted by Professor Laura Murphy, who leads the Forced Labor Lab at the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice. The decision came after a staff member connected to the project was reportedly interrogated by Chinese state security officers in Beijing. The university later removed reports from its website and imposed limits on Murphy’s research into Uyghur forced labour. After months of legal pressure and public scrutiny, Sheffield Hallam lifted the restrictions in October and issued an apology, but the incident raised broader concerns about external interference in academic work.

Human Rights Watch states that this is part of a wider pattern of transnational repression by Beijing. Researchers in the UK who study politically sensitive China-related issues have reported harassment, intimidation, and institutional pressure to avoid controversial topics. Several university administrators, the report suggests, may fear losing financial support or enrolment from Chinese students, leading to a climate where self-censorship becomes common. The organisation also notes increasing use of legal intimidation. Some Chinese firms have filed defamation lawsuits in the UK against academics and institutions publishing critical research, adding another layer of pressure that affects open inquiry. Beyond the UK, HRW highlights the arrest of Chinese student Tara Zhang Yadi in Paris for “inciting separatism” after she spoke about Tibetan rights, underlining the Chinese government’s ability to target individuals abroad for their views.

The UK Parliament has previously raised concerns over foreign interference in academic spaces. A recent report from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights acknowledged that China’s activities pose a threat to academic independence. Civil society groups and scholars are now urging the government to take stronger steps to ensure universities are protected from external coercion.

These concerns come at a time when the UK is reassessing its financial and academic ties to China. Many British universities rely heavily on international student fees, a significant portion coming from China. Critics argue that this dependence gives Beijing leverage that can influence institutional decisions, especially in politically sensitive areas of research. New UK free-speech laws are also placing increased scrutiny on foreign-funded academic centers, including China-linked institutes, in an effort to increase transparency and safeguard open debate. Human Rights Watch warns that the cumulative effect of institutional pressure, legal threats, and political influence risks undermining the core principle of academic freedom. Scholars may begin avoiding important areas of research simply to avoid conflict, thereby compromising the integrity and independence of academic work in the UK. The organisation concludes that defending academic freedom requires proactive measures from both universities and the government. As geopolitical tensions rise, the UK faces the challenge of ensuring that international partnerships do not compromise the freedom of research or allow foreign governments to shape what scholars can or cannot study.