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Until a definition of academic freedom can be agreed and it is disentangled from freedom of speech and then protected by statute, confusion regarding its scope will remain.

A request for a statement as to how a person will protect academic freedom (Letters, January 5) is meaningless if there is no definition of academic freedom.

The current raft of legislation is confusing and was designed for myriad purposes. Many try to rely on the oft-misunderstood provision in the Education Reform Act 1988. When will meaningful action be taken to redress this lacuna?

Tim Birtwistle
Head of Leeds Law School
Leeds Metropolitan University