As the financial crisis in higher education deepens, there is mounting evidence—both anecdotal and documented—that universities are targeting experienced and often outspoken academics, pressuring them to resign or retire early through sustained campaigns of intimidation, isolation, and reputational damage. These practices not only violate basic principles of fairness and dignity at work, but they also undermine academic freedom, institutional integrity, and the quality of education and research in the UK.

The consequences are severe. Talented scholars are being driven out of their professions, students are losing access to experienced mentors, and the intellectual diversity of our universities is being eroded. Moreover, the mental and physical health toll on affected individuals is profound.

Given the scale and seriousness of this issue, we are calling for a full public inquiry into the use of bullying tactics to remove academics from universities. Such an inquiry should examine:

• The prevalence and patterns of these practices across institutions
• The role of senior management and HR departments in facilitating or ignoring abuse
• The impact on academic freedom, whistleblowing, and research integrity
• The adequacy of current legal and institutional protections for university staff

This is not merely a matter of employment policy—it is a matter of national interest. Our universities are vital to the cultural, scientific, and democratic health of the country. If we allow them to become hostile environments for critical thought and independent scholarship, we risk irreparable damage to our society.