The hottest Academic Freedom Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

If Berkeley Wants to Protect Free Speech It Will Expel Its Rioters

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2453 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Violence Academic Freedom Civil Discourse
  1. Violence should not be tolerated on college campuses as it undermines the principles of free speech and debate.
  2. Consequences must be implemented for those who engage in violent behavior or disrupt events on campus.
  3. Universities must actively defend free speech and academic freedom while maintaining zero tolerance for violence.

Free Press Investigations Get Results

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2735 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Gaza Conflict Foreign influence Academic Freedom
  1. DEI initiatives are being scaled back and in some cases shut down in various states, leading to significant reform efforts in higher education
  2. An imam in Gaza who was kidnapped by Hamas was successfully released due to public pressure and challenges to Hamas' legitimacy
  3. A New York City school apologized for removing Israel from a map, sparking discussions on bias, hate, antisemitism, and foreign influence in education

Carole Hooven: Why I Left Harvard

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2504 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🚌 Education Free speech Academic Freedom Higher education
  1. Challenges to free speech on college campuses are exemplified by instances where individuals are penalized for opposing campus orthodoxy or stating scientific views that contradict prevailing beliefs.
  2. Higher education institutions often prioritize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which, while aiming for inclusivity, may inadvertently stifle viewpoint diversity and open debate, hindering the essence of thriving educational environments.
  3. The importance of ensuring a balance between promoting diversity and maintaining free speech is highlighted through personal experiences, illustrating the impact of DEI culture on academic freedom and the need for universities to re-establish environments supportive of open dialogue and diverse perspectives.
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Double-Plus-Ungood: GMU's Orwellian "Just Societies" Mandate

Bet On It • 422 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Diversity Free speech Academic Freedom Ideology
  1. The GMU's 'Just Societies' mandate is viewed as a thinly-veiled woke indoctrination requirement that lacks exploration of different views on justice. It focuses heavily on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles.
  2. The requirement assumes the DEI view of justice is correct, overlooking deep controversies and philosophical debates. Alternative perspectives like color-blind meritocracy are dismissed.
  3. Critics argue that the mandate promotes state-sponsored ideological activism, ignores traditional philosophical debates on justice, and signifies leftist indoctrination within academia.

Samiska aktivister försöker tvinga bort Jonny Hjelm

Rak höger med Ivar Arpi • 589 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Academic Freedom Colonialism Cancel Culture Research Ethics
  1. Samiska aktivister kritiserar Umeå universitet för kursinnehållet som handlar om samer, och anser att en icke-same som Jonny Hjelm inte borde studera detta.
  2. Akademisk frihet och öppen debatt är viktiga värden på universitet enligt fördrag som Umeå universitet har skrivit under.
  3. Det finns oro kring hur aktivister och media porträtterar en kurs om samer vid Umeå universitet, och det finns frågor kring varför det inte finns offentligt stöd från institutionen eller forskarkollegor för den kursansvarige.

Universiteten välkomnar en viss sorts politisk aktivism

Rak höger med Ivar Arpi • 707 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Academic Freedom Cancel Culture Political Activism Freedom of Speech Higher education
  1. Universities are selective in addressing challenges to academic freedom, with instances of cancel culture being omitted in responses.
  2. There is a discrepancy between how universities present academic freedom and the actual management of challenges and controversies within academic institutions.
  3. Some universities tend to prioritize certain ideologies and political activism, creating tensions around issues like cancel culture and academic freedom.

Tribunal respects ‘anti-Zionism’

A Lawyer Writes • 294 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Zionism Discrimination Academic Freedom University Social media
  1. An employment tribunal recognized that anti-Zionist beliefs are protected in a democratic society.
  2. The tribunal suggested that the professor should have faced disciplinary action instead of being dismissed.
  3. The University of Bristol was disappointed with the tribunal's decision but is committed to fostering a positive working and learning environment.

Free Speech on College Campuses

The Future of Education • 491 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🚌 Education Higher Ed Free speech Academic Freedom Podcasts Online Education
  1. In the dialogue on college campuses, there is a need to broaden perspectives and engage in deeper conversations to foster resilience.
  2. University leaders should maintain neutrality on controversial issues, creating an environment for open debate without imposing specific viewpoints.
  3. Higher education institutions should focus on developing students' abilities to engage with complexity, debate ideas, and build humility for better societal cohesion.

SCOTUS & EEOC Commissioner: Civil Rights Law Actually Prohibits Racial Discrimination

Unsafe Science • 85 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Supreme Court Affirmative Action Diversity Academic Freedom
  1. Civil Rights laws prohibit racial discrimination, not just for specific groups
  2. Employers are not permitted to take race-conscious actions in employment for diversity
  3. Discrimination based on race is illegal, even for achieving equity or compensating for past discrimination

The Culture War We All Lose

Symposium • 589 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Academic Freedom Culture war
  1. The culture war is revealing itself as a war _against_ culture from both sides.
  2. There is a trend towards banning art and erasing knowledge in our society.
  3. The destruction of university humanities programs could lead to a loss of historical understanding and academic freedom.

Shared governance is dead in Florida

Science Forever • 537 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance Florida Education Academic Freedom Constitution
  1. Shared governance in Florida higher education is facing challenges, with Governor DeSantis asserting significant control.
  2. There's a misunderstanding of shared governance, with some trustees using it as a reason to micromanage instead of collaborating with campus experts.
  3. DeSantis' office claims he holds all decision-making power over universities in Florida, jeopardizing academic freedom and the roles of faculty senate and student government.

Scientists Censoring Science

Unsafe Science • 97 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🔬 Science Censorship Academic Freedom Peer Review Research Ethics
  1. Censorship isn't just government-based, but also exists in various forms like corporate agreements and book bans.
  2. Rejection in science for not meeting standards isn't censorship - it's a common part of the scientific process.
  3. There is a rising trend of scientists facing punishment for their speech, leading to self-censorship and threats to academic freedom.

Mayo Clinic Suspends A Doctor Who Commented in NYTimes About Testosterone's impact when Trans-athletes compete in Women's sports

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 230 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
🏥 Health Politics Academic Freedom Censorship COVID Public Health
  1. Mayo Clinic suspended a doctor for comments on transgender athletes in women's sports, violating academic freedom.
  2. Academics should have the freedom to express their views in media without censorship.
  3. Universities should prioritize the free exchange of ideas over financial gain.

Bad week for academic freedom

Science Forever • 218 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Academic Freedom
  1. Recent events in Florida and North Carolina have highlighted threats to academic freedom, as politicians accuse faculty of indoctrinating students.
  2. The weakening of educational materials in subjects like African American studies sets a dangerous precedent for applying political pressure and limiting academic content.
  3. Challenges to academic freedom in areas like Black history can have ripple effects on other scientific topics like climate change and health issues, impacting the quality of education.

Two Cheers and One Worry about Campus Free Speech

The Oyster Club • 39 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
🚌 Education Academic Freedom Conflict resolution
  1. Students generally feel comfortable expressing their opinions in class and believe faculty encourage viewpoint diversity.
  2. However, a majority of students, regardless of political leaning, support reporting professors for making offensive statements.
  3. The increase in university administrative offices and emphasis on safety may contribute to students seeking authority to handle conflicts, impacting free speech and academic freedom.

Just Say No.

The Oyster Club • 0 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Academic Freedom Free speech Censorship
  1. Universities should prioritize academic freedom, even if politicians disagree with some content.
  2. Political interference with academic work can have chilling effects on research and critical discussions.
  3. Faculty at public universities should be allowed independence in their research and teaching, free from excessive political influence.

Does Academic Freedom Apply to University Administrators?

The Oyster Club • 0 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Academic Freedom Free speech First Amendment Higher education
  1. The question of academic freedom for university administrators is complex and largely unexplored.
  2. There are arguments both for and against extending academic freedom to administrators.
  3. Protecting administrators' academic freedom could challenge bureaucratic tendencies but may not align with their selection preferences.