Author
Daniel Sokol
Daniel Sokol, PhD, is the lead barrister at Alpha Academic Appeals and a former university lecturer in medical ethics and law. He is the author of “From Error to Ethics: Five Essential Lessons from Teaching Clinicians in Trouble.” [2025]
16 pieces
Newest first, since January 2020
· SUs
When the essay mill pretends to be your friend
Essay mills have moved beyond simple threats. Daniel Sokol explains how one company posed as an ally to extract more money from a panicked student – and why the real scandal is how many of his course mates are doing the
· Comment
What happens when universities stop asking questions?
As universities rely increasingly on international fees, Daniel Sokol asks whether financial pressure is blinding institutions to a growing trade in deception
· SUs
The essay-writing company who pretends to be your friend
Essay mills are evolving, now masquerading as protectors rather than predators. Daniel Sokol shares how one student was almost duped into silence – and why the integrity of higher education hangs in the balance
· Comment
Universities cheat students out of fair compensation
Daniel Sokol and Bradley Talbot have come across a fair number of student complaints – and think that universities are often making derisory offers to settle them that students should reject
With Bradley Talbot
· SUs
The academic integrity scammers are getting more threatening
Daniel Sokol has news of a new type of scam aimed at students using study assistance services who target students on messaging apps
· Comment
How should universities handle cases of blackmail by essay mills?
Daniel Sokol describes a case of blackmail by an essay mill and proposes a new approach to how universities should handle such cases.
· SUs
What can happen in an academic misconduct case?
Here I have tried to demystify what we do as higher education barristers by looking at a single, standard case of academic misconduct from start to finish. It is based on a real case although some details have been chang
· SUs
1 in 6 university students has admitted to cheating in online exams this year
We are two barristers who form part of a much larger group of lawyers at Alpha Academic Appeals, an organisation helping students to challenge unfair university decisions. Editor’s note: this survey pre-dates the widespr
With Bradley Talbot and Wonkhe SUs explainer
· Comment
What does “natural justice” mean at university disciplinary hearings?
Daniel Sokol reflects on a High Court case that helps to clarify what fairness means in the context of university disciplinary cases
· SUs
The student who copied himself
Robert (not his real name) received a letter from his university. It accused him of cheating, in particular copying his essay from one which appeared on Course Hero, an online platform containing millions of essays and n
· SUs
Accusing students of cheating without care can cost lives
An accusation of cheating can be so traumatic for students that it can drive them to suicide. To minimise the risk of harm, universities must deal with allegations of academic misconduct in a fair and humane manner. John
· SUs · Members
How to advise students on their prospects of success in appeals and complaints
With Bradley Talbot and Wonkhe SUs explainer
· SUs
Students that use essay mills are vulnerable to blackmail
In recent years, the popularity of essay-writing companies (sometimes called essay- mills) has grown. These companies purport to offer original, “plagiarism-free” assignments in exchange for a fee. Some studies estimate
With Bradley Talbot
· Blog
What about the students who didn’t cheat after all?
Daniel Sokol and Joshua Ellis discuss the devastating impact on students of being falsely accused of cheating – and what should be done about it.
With Joshua Ellis
· SUs
Essay mills haven’t gone away during the Covid crisis
Last Sunday, at around 7am, I received a call from an extremely distressed Master’s student. I was the “on duty” barrister at Alpha Academic Appeals, an organisation that I founded in 2011 aimed at helping university stu
· SUs
It’s time for SUs to campaign on individual advocacy
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