We, the undersigned, are appalled by the sustained and malicious attacks on the academic integrity of President Heidi Anderson.

Allegations of plagiarism were made against President Anderson and referred to two universities. Her dissertation supervisor has found no evidence whatsoever of wrongdoing. The doctoral committee that awarded the degree also found no basis for the claims.

Yet despite these findings, rightwing media have attempted to smear President Anderson’s reputation and undermine her career. That should concern everyone who believes in academic freedom, fairness and due process.

It is difficult to ignore the question of motivation. When a distinguished Black academic is repeatedly subjected to allegations, it signals there is an attempt to undermine Black people who hold positions of influence.

President Anderson, a first-generation Black woman, became the president of a historically Black university. Her remarkable journey, scholarship and leadership should be celebrated, not overshadowed by campaigns built on those allegations.

President Anderson has contributed to public life for many years, building a distinguished record of service to students and to public higher education. This latest smear campaign and the spread of misinformation are deeply alarming – not only because of the impact on one individual, but because of the message they send to aspiring Black and Brown young people who seek to attain positions of leadership.

The demonisation of President Anderson risks creating a chilling effect, signalling that success and public service may be met with hostility, misrepresentation, and disproportionate scrutiny.

We stand in unwavering solidarity with President Anderson. We call on universities not only to defend academic freedom and robust scholarship, but also to confront racism wherever it manifests itself, whether overtly or through persistent attempts to discredit exceptional Black academics.

There can be no place in higher education for campaigns that weaponise accusations to damage reputations and careers. Universities must ensure that excellence is protected and that every scholar is judged on the merit of their work, not the colour of their skin.

Peter Boghossian