The Economist
A human-rights researcher on why she pushed back when China bullied her university
Date of Publication: November 11, 2025

Authors:

  • Laura Murphy

Summary

Laura Murphy In a piece for The Economist, Laura Murphy, currently a Carr-Ryan Center Fellow, reflects on how she resisted pressure from the Chinese state when her university attempted to halt her research into forced labour and supply-chain abuses in the Xinjiang region. She argues that the incident highlights the broader challenge democratic governments face in defending academic freedom against authoritarian influence.