Documents indicate actions by China, described as harassment and intimidation, influenced Sheffield Hallam University's decision to discontinue research into alleged human rights abuses. University staff in China reported being threatened by individuals identified as China's National Security Service, who demanded the research be stopped. Access to the university's websites from China was blocked, impacting student recruitment. Internal communications from July 2024 stated that "attempting to retain the business in China and publication of the research are now untenable bedfellows." The UK government reportedly raised concerns with China regarding the suppression of academic freedoms.
Background to the Research
Professor Laura Murphy, specializing in human rights and contemporary slavery at Sheffield Hallam, conducted research into allegations of forced labor involving Uyghur Muslims in China's Xinjiang region. China has consistently denied accusations of human rights abuses, including crimes against humanity and genocide, against the Uyghur population.
In 2021, Professor Murphy published a report on Uyghur forced labor in the solar panel industry. Subsequent reports from her unit investigated supply chains in car parts and cotton for clothing. The director of the Helena Kennedy Centre (HKC), where Professor Murphy's unit was based, initially praised her work in 2021.
Chinese Response and University Pressure
The Chinese Embassy in London stated that the Helena Kennedy Centre had released "multiple fake reports on Xinjiang that are seriously flawed." The Embassy alleged some report authors received funding from US agencies and claimed the reports' allegations of forced labor "cannot withstand basic fact-check," describing the Centre as a "vehicle for politicised and disinformation-driven narratives." Professor Murphy confirmed receiving funding from various US and UK entities for her research, including USAID, the US State Department, and the UK Foreign Office for work on China.
An internal university email from August 2022 noted China's foreign ministry had issued a statement denouncing Sheffield Hallam for being in the "disreputable vanguard of anti-China rhetoric." The university earned £3.8 million from China and Hong Kong in 2021/22. This email expressed concern that Chinese government criticism could lead to a student boycott. Later in August 2022, the university's English language testing website, used by Chinese students, was "shut down in China temporarily."
By May 2024, university officials noted in an email that "the continuation of the university's scholarly activity with and in China and Hong Kong has been placed at risk because of the research activities, led by Professor Laura Murphy."
Escalation of Intimidation
A "risk summary" dated December 9, 2024, detailed the progression of events:
- August 2022: China blocked access to the university's websites and disabled email communication to and from the university. This affected Chinese students' ability to access enrolment, welcome, and course information, leading to a "negative impact on recruitment" in 2023/24, with further decline anticipated in 2024/25.
- April 18, 2024: An internal email stated, "Things in Beijing have kicked off."
- 2024: Three officers from China's National Security Service visited Sheffield Hallam's office in China. A local staff member was "questioned for two hours regarding the HKC research and future publications," with a "threatening tone" and a clear message to stop the research.
- Subsequent visit: Security officers attributed the internet issues to the Uyghur research being available on the university website.
- September 2024: A university decision not to publish a final phase of the research on forced labor in China was communicated to the National Security Service. Following this, relations reportedly improved, and concerns for staff well-being "appear to be removed."
Sheffield Hallam stated these internal communications should be considered in context and do not reflect university policy.
Legal Challenge and Insurance Issues
In December 2023, the university's Forced Labour Lab published a report linking clothing supply chains to Xinjiang. Smart Shirts Ltd, a Hong Kong garment supplier, filed a libel claim, alleging defamation due to its inclusion in the report. A preliminary High Court ruling in London in December 2024 found the report "defamatory." The full trial is pending. Following this, the university's insurers informed them that "any defamation, libel or slander" claims related to its entire Social and Economic Research Institute were no longer covered.
Decision to Halt Research and Aftermath
Professor Murphy took a career break in late 2023 to work for the US Department of Homeland Security on the implementation of the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act. During her absence, and amid pressure from China and the defamation lawsuit, Sheffield Hallam decided in early 2025 that her unit would close. An email from August 2024 stated, "Despite significant offers of continued funding we have decided it is in our best interests to terminate the research." The university hoped that by not publishing the final report under its auspices, it could "minimise the possibility of any further scrutiny of our operations," thereby addressing "duty of care issues." This decision constituted a breach of funding agreements with external groups, leading the university to close the unit and not use outstanding funds. Sheffield Hallam indicated that the disbanding of research groups at the conclusion of external contracts is standard practice.
Professor Murphy's Response and University Apology
Professor Murphy initiated legal action against the university, citing a failure to protect her academic freedom. Through a "subject access request," she obtained internal documents which, she stated, showed the university "had negotiated directly with a foreign intelligence service to trade my academic freedom for access to the Chinese student market."
Sheffield Hallam has since apologized to Professor Murphy and stated she can resume her work. A university spokesperson explained that the decision to halt Professor Murphy's research was based on "a complex set of circumstances at the time, including being unable to secure the necessary professional indemnity insurance." The university also affirmed its "commitment to supporting her research and to securing and promoting freedom of speech and academic freedom within the law."
Union and Government Statements
Jo Grady, General Secretary of the University and College Union, expressed concern that Sheffield Hallam "appears to have attempted to silence its own professor on behalf of a foreign government." She urged the university to clarify how it would support academics' research freedom and protect them from "overreach by foreign powers."
A government spokesperson told the BBC that "any attempt by a foreign state to intimidate, harass or harm individuals in the UK will not be tolerated, and the government has made this clear to Beijing after learning of this case."