30 October 2026
Defend Academic Freedom: Reverse the UK Travel Ban on Andreas Malm

Dear Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood,

We strongly condemn the UK government's decision to bar Andreas Malm, Associate Professor at Lund University and internationally recognised scholar of climate change, from entering the UK.

Malm was scheduled to participate in a public discussion in London on November 4 when his permission to travel was revoked on the vague grounds that his presence "may not be considered to be conducive to the public good".

This decision constitutes a grave violation of academic freedom and freedom of expression. The ability of scholars to travel, exchange ideas, and participate in public debate—including on politically contentious issues—is fundamental to a free and democratic society. Excluding academics because of their political views or the topics they discuss sets a dangerous precedent and risks creating a chilling effect on academic and public discourse.

We call on you to immediately reverse this decision, restore Andreas Malm's permission to enter the UK, and reaffirm your commitment to protecting academic freedom and freedom of expression.

More information: theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/oct/30/climate-academ...

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  1. Fabian Dablander, Assistant Professor, London School of Economics and Political Science, London
  2. sandra obradovic, Assistant Professor, London School of Economics, London
  3. Marie Petersmann, Assistant Professor of Law, LSE Law School, London
  4. Fred Basso, Associate Professor, London School of Economics, London
  5. Eviatar Bach, Lecturer, University of Reading, Reading
  6. Imogen Hamilton-Jones, Policy Fellow, London School of Economics, London
  7. Vincent Alec Harting, Research Director, London School of Economics, London
  8. Bruno Leipold, Assistant Professor, LSE, London
  9. Hugo Bonin, Researcher, London School of Economics, London
  10. Marie Thøgersen, Postdoctoral researcher, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg
  11. Mikkel Flohr, Incoming assistant professor, Copenhagen Business School, Copenhagen
  12. Laura Ludtke, Lecturer, University of Oxford, Oxford
  13. Dominique Routhier, Assistant Professor, Roskilde University, Copenhagen
  14. Dario Krpan, Associate Professor, London School of Economics & Political Science, London
  15. Tanroop Sandhu, Postdoctoral Researcher, King's College London, London
  16. Harry Lewis, Assistant Professor, LSE, London
  17. Charlotte Cator, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Glasgow
  18. Samuel Finnerty, Senior Teaching Associate, Lancaster University, Lancaster
  19. Søren Mau, Philosopher, Ydø
  20. Juliette Alenda-Demoutiez, Associate Professor, Radboud University, Nijmegen
...
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  1. Ragnhild Larsson, Editor, Gothenburg university, Gothenburg
  2. Mark Hagen, Lecturer, University of Bristol, Bristol
  3. Zachary Levenson, Associate Professor of Sociology, Florida International University, Miami
  4. Leonardo Castro, Resercher, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
  5. Elliot Honeybun-Arnolda, Senior Research Associate, University of East Anglia, Norwich
  6. Janine Bachrachas, Software developer, Bristol Apartheid-Free Zone, Bristol
  7. Charlie Thame, Associate Professor, Thammasat University, Bangkok
  8. Victoria Burgher, Artist researcher, University of Westminster, London
  9. Ayça Çubukçu, Associate Professor in Human Rights, London School of Economics and Political Science, London
  10. Angus Hebenton, Teaching Associate, University of Nottingham, Nottingham
  11. Kohei Saito, Associate Professor, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo
  12. Nick Gay, professsor, University of Cambridge, Cambridge
  13. Dennis Leech, Emeritus professor, Warwick University, London
  14. Helena Sheehan, Professor, Dublin City University, Dublin
  15. Ralph Bannell, Professor, Rio De Janeiro
  16. Dogukan Dere, PhD Candidate / Graduate Teaching Assistant, London School of Economics, London
  17. Dr Adam Lucas, Academic, University of Wollongong, Sydney
  18. Gopalji Pradhan, Teaching, Democratic Teachers Initiative, New Delhi
  19. Suryapratim Roy, Assistant Professor, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin
  20. Ryuji Sasaki, Professor, Rikkyo University, Tokyo
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