The hottest Academic Freedom Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

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In My Tribe • 470 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🚌 Education Higher Ed Academic Freedom Student outcomes
  1. Colleges, especially elite ones like Harvard, have been criticized for not being open to conservative ideas and for having a biased hiring process. Many believe they aren't likely to change on their own.
  2. There's a call for breaking up large universities into smaller entities to focus on research and education more effectively. This might help reduce their political activism and improve academic standards.
  3. New societal trends are shifting the way people view knowledge and expertise, often valuing common sense over traditional authority. This can create a space for new types of knowledge systems to emerge.

Dr. Atlas and the Crucible of Open Dialogue

COVID Reason • 495 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Censorship Public Health Policy Analysis Academic Freedom Pandemic response
  1. Government lockdowns during the pandemic didn't work as intended and caused more harm than good, affecting people's mental health and education.
  2. Censorship stifled important discussions and alternative viewpoints, which are essential for scientific progress.
  3. Academic institutions didn't uphold free expression and debate, which is key for critical thinking and finding the truth.

How to Get Rid of a Tenured Professor

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 4249 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Academic Freedom Higher education Political Advocacy
  1. Universities are becoming more politicized, making it harder for professors to speak freely. Many faculty feel they can't express their opinions without fear of backlash or discipline.
  2. Tenured professors can face significant challenges, including administrative pressure and hostile work environments. This can happen despite their experience and achievements.
  3. Academic freedom is at risk when universities prioritize political agendas over teaching and research. When that's the case, it often leads to a lack of support for diverse viewpoints.

Fixing Universities

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1413 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🚌 Education Higher education Policy Analysis Public Trust Academic Freedom
  1. Universities need to focus more on their main jobs: teaching and research. It's important for them to prioritize these roles over sports and other activities.
  2. They should take institutional neutrality seriously, meaning universities shouldn't push political views. Instead, they should let students and faculty discuss and debate these issues freely.
  3. Expanding access to education for all kinds of students is crucial. Universities should aim to serve everyone in society and help improve American democracy.

With Indigeneity, Universities Aren’t Following the Science

Heterodox STEM • 334 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🚌 Education Higher education Academic Freedom Decolonization
  1. Universities should promote free inquiry and have open discussions about all ideas, including Indigenous ways of knowing. Avoiding these conversations can lead to a lack of understanding and legitimate critique.
  2. If an idea cannot be tested or questioned, it cannot be considered scientific. This means that theories presented without detailed evidence fall outside of scientific discourse.
  3. The push for indigenization and decolonization in universities may replace established scientific methods with other belief systems. This could undermine the core mission of universities to pursue truth and knowledge.
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Neutral Universities

David Friedman’s Substack • 296 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🚌 Education Academia University Policy Academic Freedom
  1. Universities should strive for neutrality to focus on truth and avoid political distractions. When they take sides, it can harm their ability to explore different ideas and create a closed environment.
  2. Even if universities don't make public statements, their choices still communicate views on controversial topics. They can avoid unnecessary conflicts by being careful about their decisions and who they hire.
  3. The idea of neutrality isn't just for universities but also applies to professional organizations. When these groups take political stances, it can affect their integrity and the public's trust in their expertise.

The Courage to Disagree in Academia

Journal of Free Black Thought • 53 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🚌 Education Academic Freedom Critical Thinking Intellectual humility
  1. Colleges should help students learn how to disagree and think critically. When students ask tough questions about what they're taught, it shows they're engaged and curious.
  2. It's important for schools to protect teachers' rights to express different opinions. This allows them to challenge the usual ideas and helps students hear various viewpoints.
  3. We should encourage open discussions on controversial topics. It helps students understand different perspectives and prepares them to think more broadly about important issues.

Censorship Undermines the Pursuit of Truth

Heterodox STEM • 135 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🔬 Science Academic Freedom Censorship Public Policy
  1. Censorship in academic settings can limit the discussion of important truths. When researchers can't speak freely, society misses out on valuable insights.
  2. There are organizations and conferences focused on addressing and fighting against academic censorship. These groups aim to protect freedom of thought and promote open conversations.
  3. The Journal of Controversial Ideas allows authors to publish under pseudonyms. This encourages debate on sensitive topics while safeguarding individuals' careers and safety.

An open letter to Harvard President, Alan Garber

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 268 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccine Mandates Academic Freedom Public Health Political Influence Medical Ethics
  1. Harvard should show a commitment to academic freedom by reinstating fired professors like Martin Kulldorff. This would help represent a wider range of ideas on campus.
  2. The COVID-19 vaccine mandate by the Biden administration had issues, particularly with not considering natural immunity. This raised questions about individual rights versus public health.
  3. The treatment of some faculty members during the pandemic raises concerns about political bias in academic settings. Harvard needs to correct its mistakes to ensure a true diversity of thought.

Is cancel culture a panic? A review of The Cancel Culture Panic by Adrian Daub

The Path Not Taken • 176 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Cancel Culture Freedom of Speech Academic Freedom
  1. Cancel culture is sometimes seen as overhyped, mainly by conservatives, who use it to avoid discussing deeper issues like job security and accountability. This suggests that some debates may be more about politics than actual problems.
  2. The book points out that while there are real cases of people being canceled, these examples might be getting too much attention compared to the bigger picture. The significance of individual cases needs to be carefully assessed.
  3. Self-censorship is an important part of the free speech debate, but some critiques downplay its seriousness. This means we should consider how people might silence themselves in discussions, especially in academic settings.

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.

The Manhattan Institute Deleted This Article

Karlstack • 472 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Cancel Culture Online Harassment Academic Freedom Media influence Political Extremism
  1. A man named Oliver D. Smith has been targeting academics in the field of intelligence research, using online trolling and legal threats to disrupt their careers.
  2. The Manhattan Institute removed an article critical of Smith after he reached a private settlement with them, raising questions about his influence and tactics.
  3. Smith's actions have led to real harm for academics, including job losses, by promoting misinformation about their work on platforms like RationalWiki.

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.

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.

Free Speech on College Campuses

The Future of Education • 495 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.

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.

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.

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.

Bad week for academic freedom

Science Forever • 218 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Academic Freedom Indoctrination
  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.

Canceling the American Mind

Holodoxa • 179 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Cancel Culture Academic Freedom Political Discourse
  1. Issues related to freedom of expression are prominent in American public discourse, especially in the current era.
  2. Cancel Culture has spread widely, impacting discourse and leading to consequences for freedom of expression.
  3. Strategies like defining Cancel Culture, examining rhetorical fortresses, and proposing changes in education can help mitigate the impacts of censorious attitudes.

Cancel Culture Datapalooza

Dreams in the Which House • 117 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Cancel Culture Free speech Academic Freedom Political Narrative Statistics
  1. The numbers around 'Cancel Culture' incidents are a topic of debate, especially in academia.
  2. In evaluating these numbers, it's crucial to consider the context of the data and how it's presented.
  3. Comparing modern 'Cancel Culture' scenarios with historical events like McCarthyism reveals nuances and complexities.

Curator

Castalia • 219 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Identity politics Academic Freedom Cultural Commentary
  1. The conversation about race and liberalism is complex. Many believe that liberal ideals may not address the deeper issues of racism that affect black identity.
  2. Safety culture and equity language can limit real conversations and understanding. This trend is seen as creating a divide rather than genuinely improving communication.
  3. The rise of alternative cultural spaces, like Substack, shows that there is a thriving creative world outside of traditional publishing. People are becoming more open to exploring diverse voices and ideas.

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.

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

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.

Commentator

Castalia • 99 implied HN points • 11 Jan 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Ukraine conflict Cold War Military Strategy Academic Freedom
  1. Free speech is a hot topic, especially in schools. There are big debates about what should be allowed, and many believe we need to follow the rules of free speech laid out in the Constitution.
  2. In Ukraine, the fighting continues with no clear resolution in sight. While there are talks of peace, both sides seem determined to keep fighting, making it hard to reach an agreement.
  3. Science is struggling to make big breakthroughs, especially in areas like Alzheimer's research. Many believe that instead of finding new solutions, scientists are mostly just making small improvements.

Experience

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 18 Oct 22
🚌 Education Student experience Academic Freedom Online Learning Public Debate
  1. Universities are facing a lot of criticism for rising costs, student debt, and the perceived failure to promote free speech. Many people feel they are not fulfilling their promised roles in society.
  2. Students today often see university as a comfortable space, more like home rather than a place for deep intellectual growth. This affects how they engage with their education.
  3. There's a suggestion that education could be more accessible and diverse by utilizing online platforms and offering adult learning opportunities. This way, teaching can move beyond traditional classrooms and connect with people who are eager to learn.