(MENAFN) Documents obtained by the BBC show that China engaged in a sustained campaign to pressure Sheffield Hallam University to stop research into alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. The campaign involved threats to university staff in China, described as coming from China’s National Security Service, and blocked access to the university’s websites from China, hampering student recruitment.

The research, led by Professor Laura Murphy, focused on allegations that Uyghur Muslims in northwest China were subjected to forced labor. Internal university emails from July 2024 revealed officials considered continuing the research “untenable” while trying to retain access to the Chinese student market.

Following pressure from Chinese authorities and a separate defamation lawsuit, Sheffield Hallam initially decided not to publish Professor Murphy’s final report on forced labor. In early 2025, she was told she could no longer continue research into supply chains linked to China. Murphy has since initiated legal action against the university, claiming it failed to protect her academic freedom.

The documents reportedly show that the university had negotiated “directly with a foreign intelligence service to trade my academic freedom for access to the Chinese student market,” Murphy told the BBC. Sheffield Hallam has since apologized and stated that Murphy can resume her work.

The University and College Union criticized the university’s actions as “incredibly worrying,” urging Sheffield Hallam to ensure academics can research freely without interference from foreign powers.

The UK government also weighed in, warning Beijing that attempts to intimidate or harass individuals in the UK would not be tolerated.

China has consistently denied allegations of forced labor in Xinjiang, calling Murphy’s research “seriously flawed” and “politicized.” The university had earned $4.79 million in 2021/22 from China and Hong Kong, highlighting the financial stakes in its dealings.

Internal documents show the Chinese government began blocking access to the university’s online services in 2022, escalating pressure over the next two years until the university restricted Professor Murphy’s research.

This case has raised concerns about academic freedom and the influence of foreign governments on UK universities.

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