Look for academic work about to be banned (6)
I believe the answer is:
search
'look for' is the definition.
('search' can be a synonym of 'look for')
'academic work about to be banned' is the wordplay.
'academic work' becomes 'research'.
'about' becomes 're' (regarding).
'to be banned' suggests deleting specific letters.
'research' with 're' removed is 'SEARCH'.
(Other definitions for search that I've seen before include "What examiners do" , "Look for something or someone, perhaps chaser" , "Forage, quest" , "Look thoroughly to find something" , "Try to find something by looking" .)