#academic-freedom

#academic-freedom

Political and social changes in the U.S. and other Western democracies in the 21st century have triggered growing concerns about possible erosion of academic freedom. In the past, colleges and universities largely decided whom to admit and hire, what to teach, and which research to support. Increasingly, those prerogatives are being challenged. In a new working paper, Pippa Norris, the Paul F. McGuire Lecturer in Comparative Politics at Harvard Kennedy School, looked at academic freedom and found it faces two very different but dangerous threats.

We, scholars dedicated to questions of justice and ethics, stand firm in our support of Palestine Action, recognizing the importance of collective defiance in the face of oppression.

Brian Sandberg expressed deep concern about the current state of academic freedom in the US, stating, 'Things have really changed. The entire system of research and higher education... is really under attack.' He fears repercussions due to prior comments about US research and reflects on the implications for researchers’ status.

Sullivan's report highlights a concerning lack of protection for gender-critical academics at UK universities, emphasizing the bullying and restrictions on their research. Researchers face intimidation for recognizing the significance of biological sex.

Pauline Shanks Kaurin's resignation from the Naval War College reflects her belief that staying would mean approving policies contrary to her ethics.

The administration of US President Donald Trump is pursuing a destructive agenda against science. The White House seems to be intent on telling funding agencies what they can fund, universities who they can hire, and researchers what they can study.

Japan's government is proactively creating a favorable research environment by investing ¥100 billion to attract international researchers, particularly those from the US.

The Trump Administration's decision to revoke Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification has left international students facing difficult choices regarding their education in the U.S.

The freedom to explore ideas and their consequences is endangered by polarized dogmatists and demagogues, leading to confusion and fear among students and faculty.

In April, 13 OSU students had their visas revoked, with no reinstatement yet, highlighting an alarming trend in how universities manage student activism.

This year, my first as chair, has seen profound upheaval. The State Legislature passed an anti-DEI bill, leading to the closure of vital support centers.

I am very happy to see so many right wing commentators applauding Colonel Sophia Qureishi but perhaps they could also equally loudly demand that the victims of mob lynchings...

We're like people on the Titanic saying our ship can't sink, Shore said. And what you know as a historian is that there is no such thing as a ship that can't sink.