Sheffield Hallam University has been accused of compromising academic freedom under pressure from Chinese authorities, according to internal documents obtained by the BBC. Professor Laura Murphy, a leading researcher on human rights and contemporary slavery, alleges that the university halted her sensitive research into forced labor allegations involving Uyghur Muslims in China’s Xinjiang region to maintain access to the lucrative Chinese student market. The documents reveal that Sheffield Hallam faced a two-year campaign of intimidation, including threats from individuals claiming to represent China’s National Security Service, blocking of university websites in China, and a defamation lawsuit. In 2024, the university decided not to publish Murphy’s final research report, citing concerns over professional indemnity insurance and staff safety. Murphy initiated legal action, accusing the university of failing to protect her academic freedom. Sheffield Hallam has since apologized and allowed her to resume her work, but the case has raised concerns about the vulnerability of UK universities to foreign influence. The UK government has warned China against such interference, emphasizing its commitment to academic freedom. The Chinese Embassy in London dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and factually flawed, while Baroness Helena Kennedy, a prominent human rights advocate, called for vigilance against such pressures on academic institutions.