Academic Freedom and Censorship in Biodiversity Conservation
As a student of Philosophy and Politics, I am deeply passionate about ethical global development, with a particular interest in how socio-economic and political contexts shape this process.
This upcoming project will explore the prevalence of academic censorship and self-censorship across disciplines. Contributing to the global discourse on academic freedom is vital to identifying the vulnerabilities and pressures faced by researchers—especially those working in areas critical to global sustainability, such as biodiversity conservation.
Under the guidance of Professor George Holmes and through collaboration with fellow scholar Xanthe Hudson, I will work on a global survey targeting researchers working in biodiversity conservation. The survey aims to identify the geographical distribution of censorship and the context in which they occur.
I am incredibly excited to begin this research and very grateful for this opportunity. I hope to share more soon!
Hello!
I am Lottie Knee, a Philosophy and Politics undergraduate student at the University of Leeds and a part of the 2025 cohort of Laidlaw Scholars.
Building on my background in normative ethics, international development, and foreign policy, this summer I investigated Academic Freedom and Censorship in Biodiversity Conservation. My research explores how political pressures, freedom of speech, and censorship influence conservation work, engaging with real incidents where knowledge and debate have been constrained. This project challenges me to enter a new area of study while strengthening the critical and ethical frameworks developed in my degree.
Outside of academia, I love to travel. I took a gap year before attending university where I solo travelled Australia, Indonesia and The Philippines. This was a fantastic opportunity for adventure, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures.
I am always open to connect with others within the Laidlaw community!
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