Melb Uni threatens free speech: academics

Melbourne University academics say changes to their workplace agreement will prevent them from sharing some of their research findings and speaking their mind on controversial topics.

In a letter to the university's vice-chancellor, six leading academics from the business, health sciences, law, and sciences faculties have protested the change, saying it would mean they cannot speak "without fear or favour."

The academics object to the removal of a clause in their workplace agreement which says they are legally entitled to express academic and intellectual freedom without fear of dismissal.

But a spokeswoman for Melbourne University says a binding policy will provide the academics with the freedom to engage in "critical enquiry and public discourse."

"The suggestion that the draft agreement removes academic freedom protections is simply not true," she said.

"Academic freedom of expression is a core value of the University of Melbourne."

The academics say the policy provides no legal remedy and can be changed at any time.

"Only when academic freedom is enshrined as in a legally binding agreement ... can it be said to truly afford the independence of thought that ground-breaking research and challenging and fruitful teaching require," their letter reads.

Victorian secretary of the National Tertiary Education Union Colin Long told AAP the university was protecting its image by scrapping academic freedom from the agreement.

"They only want to focus on research that's focused on promoting the university's brand," he said.

By favouring research in areas like health, medicine and security, the university avoids topics like politics that garner controversy, Mr Long added, further criticising the university for acting more like a corporation than an educator.