China Intimidated UK University to Drop Human Rights Research, Documents Show
Documents reveal China employed a campaign of intimidation against Sheffield Hallam University to suppress research on alleged human rights abuses. This involved threats to university staff in China by individuals linked to the Chinese government, and website blocks that hindered student recruitment. Sheffield Hallam eventually decided against publishing Professor Laura Murphy’s research and asked her to halt her investigation after pressure and a defamation suit. Following legal action by Prof. Murphy, the university apologized and allowed her to resume her work, though the incident raised concerns about academic freedom and foreign interference.
John Q. Hosedrinker