Cry Freedom

The Regulatory Assault on Institutional Autonomy in England's Universities

Tooley James

"Cry Freedom" explores the paradox of independent universities facing increasing government regulations. The book critically examines the historical shift from private funding to government involvement, challenging the perception that all universities are public entities. A compelling read for academics and policymakers alike, "Cry Freedom" prompts reflection on the evolving relationship between government and higher education, urging readers to reconsider the core values of academic autonomy and innovation.

About the author

James Tooley, PhD, assumed the role of Vice-Chancellor at The University of Buckingham in October 2020, concurrently serving as Professor of Educational Entrepreneurship and Policy. Prior to this, he spent two decades as a professor of education policy at Newcastle University, with intermittent periods fostering entrepreneurial education projects in the developing world. In addition to academic stints at the Universities of Oxford and Manchester, James is renowned for groundbreaking research on low-cost private education, earning accolades such as the gold prize in the International Finance Corporation/Financial Times Private Sector Development Competition and a Templeton Prize for Free Market Solutions to Poverty. His influential book, "The Beautiful Tree" – a personal journey into how the world's poorest are educating themselves, emerged as a best-seller in India and received the Sir Antony Fisher Memorial Prize. James has further extended his impact by co-founding low-cost schools in various countries, including Ghana (Omega Schools), India (Cadmus Education), Honduras (Cadmus Academies), and England (Independent Grammar Schools). Actively engaged with associations of low-cost private schools, he serves as the Patron of the Association of Formidable Educational Development in Nigeria and the Chief Mentor of the National Independent Schools Alliance in India.