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What can universities do to protect academic freedom? How to foster and protect freedom of thought, enquiry and expression in higher education
The freedom to teach, research and express ideas without censorship or unreasonable interference is a central tenet of the modern university. As pillars of democracy, higher education institutions should aim to embed this idea into all their activities, from how they are run to what their students read. But academic freedom is under threat from politicisation, polarisation and policing of certain views, forcing universities and colleges to reassert their commitment to this guiding principle. Here, academics from around the world explore how to keep the flame of free thought and enquiry alight in the classroom, in research and beyond.
Copyright © 2025 THE - Times Higher Education. All rights reserved. Engaging in controversial topics in teaching and research
Sensitive subjects such as trolling and sexual assault require a careful approach at all points – from examining your motivation before you begin and setting up support to sharing findings , writes Ekant Veer
Universities and academics need to make space for ‘ useless ’ research
The academic race for short - term results and practical applications must be balanced with research that can , in due time , become …
Open research is a tough nut to crack . Here ’ s how we can get started
Investment , training and incentives are required if the sector is going to rise to the challenge of truly embracing open research
Being a public scientist is not an easy choice
When scholars know their data well and can see their findings being ignored , they should be comfortable enough to speak out . Here , Paul …
Teaching students to think for themselves is not enough
The critical thinking ideal is too individualistic and self - focused − students must learn to help others think well , too , says T . Ryan Byerly
Helping students make sense of global politics through class debates
How to guide students to develop and take part in class debates to deepen their understanding of course content
Negotiating the minefield of global online teaching : dealing with …
Farish A . Noor offers advice on managing the conflicting viewpoints of students living and studying in different countries and cultural …
Four steps to robust and respectful classroom discussion
This video offers a four - part approach that gives space for students to speak up eagerly in classroom debates and shows them how to …
Safely teaching foreign students facing censorship
Foreign students studying online in their home countries may be subject to strict press controls , so educators must carefully …
Universities , AI and the common good
Higher education must find paths for meaningful engagement with artificial intelligence , to leverage its potential , explain the problems and mitigate the hazards , writes Rajani Naidoo
Five ways universities can protect faculty from online harassment
With more online engagement and interaction have come increased threats and attacks against faculty , staff and students . Here are measures institutions can take to raise awareness and provide support
A DIY guide to protecting academic freedom
A guide to help faculty manage and respond to threats to their academic freedom , from understanding the source of the …
Academics must resist the creeping degradation of academic freedom
Unless an academic is exceptionally bloody - minded , they will eventually take the path of least resistance , which is subtle erosion …
How to disagree about Covid vaccination and manage other …
Jonathan Lord outlines the role of empathy and listening skills in navigating potential conflict when colleagues disagree about …
Voting counts : how to get more students to the ballot box
Young people are less likely to vote than any other age group , so what can institutions do to engage students with the most fundamental of democratic processes ? Rebecca Deegan shares some lessons
How universities can embed democratic principles and practices into the student experience
Higher education is a critical pillar of a functional democracy and there are things that colleges and universities can do today to actively foster democratic practices , as Meg Little Reilly explains
Educational gag orders could destroy the structure of higher education
Universities and programmes could lose their accreditation and students could lose their financial aid if governors continue signing these …
Universities must promote pluralism to ward off threats to democracy
Once the moral basis of anyone who disagrees with us is rejected , then democracy inevitably implodes , says Matthew Flinders
Fake news and disinformation abounds , but what can universities do ?
Few universities offer courses on countering propaganda , and Russia ’ s invasion of Ukraine brings this weakness of provision …
A higher education playbook for strengthening democracy : what institutions can do
Five ways universities can engage in supporting democracy in their home nations and throughout the world , presented by William Tierney
Respectful provocation : the university skill for our times ?
Challenging students about their assumptions and values makes them better equipped to engage with the challenges of living in a diverse society , writes Mathew Guest
Inclusion of thought v inclusion of feelings : a showdown
In the pursuit of inclusivity , should we adjust what we teach to include students ’ sensitivities or expose them to the full range …
How Socrates can help your students question information
In a world full of answers , we must take time to ask questions , and the approaches favoured by Socrates can still be useful …
Managing excluding behaviour and bigotry in the classroom
A reflective tool to help university teachers manage inappropriate or offensive behaviour in the classroom , presented by Donna …
