Swedish climate academic Andreas Malm says UK barred him over event with Palestine Action co-founder

Andreas Malm, a Swedish academic known for his work on climate activism, says he has been barred from entering the UK ahead of a scheduled panel appearance next week. Malm was due to speak alongside a co-founder of Palestine Action, a group proscribed by the UK government. The event, which was to be held in Britain, has now been thrown into uncertainty following the reported travel restriction. Malm, an associate professor at Lund University, is a prominent voice on ecological issues and has previously advocated for non-violent direct action. The UK Home Office has not publicly commented on the specific case. The incident raises questions about freedom of speech and academic mobility, especially for scholars engaging with controversial or proscribed organisations. It also highlights the UK's increasingly strict stance on individuals associated with groups deemed a threat to national security. As the event date approaches, organisers may seek alternative formats or remote participation for Malm. This case could set a precedent for how the UK handles foreign academics whose associations raise red flags.