Shining a light on academic freedom

Academic freedom is an essential element of a robust higher education system, yet it is still often misunderstood by many, said Jeffrey Rosen, a noted constitutional scholar who was the keynote presenter at the "Academic Freedom: Principles, Protections and Responsibilities" event at the University of Delaware earlier this month.

"The legal meaning and scope of academic freedom is a highly undeveloped area of law," said Rosen, one that "has come under attack from both the left and the right."

Since 2021, 21 states have enacted laws that limit academic freedom. Though Delaware is not one of those states, the impact of these restrictions echo across higher education. Aspects of academic freedom, Rosen said, have yet to be tested in the highest court, but "given the many recent threats, academic freedom disputes with potentially enormous consequences could reach the Supreme Court soon."

The event at Gore Recital Hall was part of the Presidential Shine the Light Series, designed to showcase UD's expertise on the most critical issues of our time, said President Laura Carlson. The series "stands itself as a testament to academic freedom and a statement of the relevance of science and scholarly inquiry."

Interim Provost Bill Farquhar said academic freedom "enables the vital work of our faculty - the teaching, research, innovation, and community service that are at the core of the University's mission. … We must continually reaffirm the important role that academic freedom plays in higher education and strengthen the ways that universities can encourage open, respectful dialogue in increasingly complex environments."