BRISMES Committee on Academic Freedom
The BRISMES Committee on Academic Freedom was set up to monitor and defend academic freedom in the research, study and teaching of Middle East Studies in the UK and anywhere in the world, including in academic institutions in the Middle East and North Africa.
To learn more about how the committee works, please see the Terms of Reference.
The current Chair of the BRISMES Committee on Academic Freedom is Lewis Turner (Senior Lecturer in International Politics, Newcastle University).
Latest Statement/Letter
SEMOMM, SeSaMO, and BRISMES declare their solidarity with François Burgat and express their deep concern regarding the judicial process against him and, more broadly, the threats facing academic freedom and freedom of expression, especially when directed at scholars and researchers.
We call on all public institutions to defend and uphold the right to academic freedom and freedom of expression, and to oppose all efforts to intimidate academics and silence them.
Furthermore, we call on the French authorities to ensure that laws relating to terrorism are not used in ways that undermine legitimate political expression, academic inquiry, or public debate. Freedom of expression — including sharp criticism of states and analysis of non-state armed actors — is protected under the European Convention on Human Rights and constitutes a fundamental principle of democratic society. The increasing criminalisation of political speech risks creating a chilling effect on scholars, journalists, and citizens engaged in debate on matters of major public concern.
20 May 2026
Previous Statements
Please find here the list of statements published by the Committee on Academic Freedom.
Previous Letters
Please find here the list of public letters published by the Committee on Academic Freedom.
Database of Expertise
The Database of Expertise in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies provides a publicly available list of MENA experts with their research and areas of expertise.
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