Chomsky joins global outrage over academic’s suspension

Noam Chomsky has joined an international campaign to reinstate a professor suspended for alleged ‘gross misconduct’, writes Jack Grove for Times Higher Education. Chomsky, emeritus professor in the department of linguistics and philosophy at MIT, is one of 72 academics to sign a letter in support of Ian Parker, professor of psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University, whose removal from campus has caused outrage.

The university has refused to reveal why Parker has been suspended, but his supporters say he has been ‘silenced’ for raising issues over secrecy in his department. A meeting of about 60 members of the University and College Union (UCU) at Manchester Met's All Saints campus last week voted to support possible strike action in protest against the victimisation of staff. A UCU spokesperson said academics felt unable to speak freely without fear of disciplinary action.
Full report on the Times Higher Education site