In Jonathan's most recent Author in Residence blog post, he describes the nature of universities as Unsettling Institutions. Places that push the envelope on conventional thought and challenge people to view issues from a different perspective. Ideally, universities serve as research facilities for ideas and beliefs where they can be discussed and given a chance to thrive on their own merit, and not silenced because they are unpopular. However, just scan the headlines on a regular basis and you will see academic freedom coming under fire.
What does walking the line between acceptable safe speech and provocative speech mean for a professor's career? Have we recovered from our recent assault on academic freedom or are there still ideas that are too taboo to speak or teach? Have you been asked to not teach a particular subject or publish a particular article out of concern that it would reflect poorly on the university?
I leave you with this quote:
"By academic freedom I understand the right to search for truth and to publish and teach what one holds to be true. This right implies also a duty: one must not conceal any part of what one has recognized to be true. It is evident that any restriction on academic freedom acts in such a way as to hamper the dissemination of knowledge among the people and thereby impedes national judgment and action." -Albert Einstein
The American University needs to remain an arena for ideas and beliefs, no matter how unpopular, if our nation is to remain both free and innovative. Fear of repercussions impedes the development of new ideas and cutting edge research. I look forward to hearing your stories and thoughts on this issue, feel free to comment below or email me at robf@higheredjobs.com.
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