Academic Freedom and Free Expression

Learn more by reviewing the training modules below  

There is no single universally accepted definition of academic freedom. Representatives of prominent organizations associated with defending academic freedom are often debating the proper way in which the concept should be interpreted and applied. Despite the ambiguity, academic freedom remains a cornerstone of the university’s goal of producing and transmitting knowledge. The bullet points below provide definitions from several prominent organizations, including the Universities of Wisconsin.

• Universities of Wisconsin: Academic freedom includes the freedom to explore all avenues of scholarship, research, and creative expression, and to reach conclusions according to one’s own scholarly discernment.
• American Federation of Teachers: Academic freedom is the right of faculty members, acting both as individuals and as a collective, to determine without outside interference: (1) the college curriculum; (2) course content; (3) teaching; (4) student evaluation; and (5) the conduct of scholarly inquiry.
• American Association of University Professors: Academic freedom is the freedom of a teacher or researcher in higher education to investigate and discuss the issues in his or her academic field, and to teach and publish findings without interference from administrators, boards of trustees, political figures, donors, or other entities. Academic freedom also protects the right of a faculty member to speak freely when participating in institutional governance, as well as to speak freely as a citizen.
• FIRE: Academic freedom gives faculty the right to teach, research, and speak about matters of public concern without being punished — even where their views, findings, or methods are controversial. Educators on college and university campuses must be free to speak their minds, ask tough questions, and facilitate learning without the threat of institutional censorship, coercion, or intimidation.
• PEN America: Academic freedom is paramount to the healthy functioning of a university. It refers to the rights of professors and students to exercise full freedom in their research, publications, and teaching, as well as the right to free expression of ideas in extramural contexts. It rests on the idea that knowledge is not stable and that questioning accepted wisdom is essential to the pursuit of truth. Professors do have pedagogical duties and an obligation to demonstrate requisite disciplinary knowledge, but the principle of academic freedom dictates that as long as they fulfill those responsibilities, they should have full latitude to speak, write, and publish free from censorship.

There is no single universally accepted definition of free expression. However, most definitions emphasize the right to express ideas, opinions, and viewpoints, including those that may be unpopular, controversial, or offensive, without fear of censorship or punishment, subject to certain legal and institutional limitations. Free expression plays a vital role in higher education by fostering inquiry, debate, learning, and the exchange of ideas. The bullet points below provide a sampling of definitions from several prominent organizations.

• Universities of Wisconsin: Freedom of expression includes the right to discuss and present scholarly opinions and conclusions on all matters both in and outside the classroom.
• American Association of University Professors: Free expression within higher education protects the ability of members of the campus community to discuss ideas, engage in debate, criticize institutional policies, and participate in public discourse. Robust discussion and the free exchange of views are essential to the university’s educational mission.
• FIRE: Free expression is the right of individuals to express opinions and ideas without censorship, retaliation, or punishment. The freedom to challenge prevailing beliefs, engage in open debate, and hear competing viewpoints is fundamental to a free society and to higher education.
• PEN America: Free expression is the ability of individuals to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any medium. The free exchange of ideas, including dissenting and unpopular viewpoints, is essential to democratic society and the pursuit of knowledge.