May Their Number Increase: An Interview with Director Flynn Cratty about Academic Freedom Conducted and edited by Howard Muncy Flynn Cratty is a historian of early modern Europe at Harvard University where he is Executive Director of the Council on Academic Freedom,...
AFA News
Leaving Certainty Unexamined: An Academic Freedom Interview with Sociology Professor Ilana Redstone
Leaving Certainty Unexamined: An Academic Freedom Interview with Sociology Professor Ilana Redstone Conducted and edited by Howard Muncy Ilana Redstone is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is also the Faculty...
AFA Sends Letter to Texas A&M Regarding Censure of Professor
AFA Sends Letter to Texas A&M Regarding Censure of Professor University suspended and investigated Prof. Joy Alonzo for criticizing a state official PRINCETON, NJ – The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) today sent a letter to Texas A&M regarding reports that it...
Free to Explore Ideas: A Conversation with Professor James Hartley
Free to Explore Ideas: A Conversation with Professor James Hartley Conducted and edited by Howard Muncy James Hartley is Professor of Economics at Mount Holyoke College, where he teaches Macroeconomic Theory, Money and Banking, and Principles of Economics among other...
AFA Files Amicus Brief on Florida’s “Stop WOKE Act”
AFA Files Amicus Brief on Florida’s Unconstitutional “Stop WOKE Act” Brief Filed with 11th Circuit calls Act “unconstitutionally vague and overbroad” PRINCETON, NJ – The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) today filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the...
AFA Denounces Mayo Clinic After It Disciplines Doctor for Transgender Comments
AFA Denounces Mayo Clinic After It Disciplines Doctor for Transgender Comments Doctor punished after comments to New York Times relating to his scholarly expertise PRINCETON, NJ – The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) today sent a letter to the Mayo Clinic denouncing...
Our Best Hope: A Conversation about Academic Freedom with Professor Steven Pinker
Our Best Hope: A Conversation about Academic Freedom with Professor Steven Pinker Conducted and edited by Howard Muncy Steven Pinker is an experimental psychologist who conducts research in visual cognition, psycholinguistics, and social relations. Currently, Pinker...
The Illusion of Consensus: An Interview with Professor Jeffrey Flier, M.D.
The Illusion of Consensus: An Interview with Professor Jeffrey Flier, M.D. Professor Jeffrey Flier, M.D. is the Higginson Professor of Medicine and Physiology at Harvard Medical School. From 2007-2016, Professor Flier served as the 21st Dean at HMS and he holds the...
A Strong & Positive Force for Academic Freedom: An Interview with Professor Julia Mahoney
A Strong & Positive Force for Academic Freedom: An Interview with Professor Julia Mahoney Conducted and Edited by Howard Muncy Professor Julia Mahoney is the John S. Battle Professor of Law at the University of Virginia. Professor Mahoney teaches courses about...
Making a Critical Difference: A Conversation with Professor Lars Jensen
Making a Critical Difference: A Conversation with Professor Lars Jensen Conducted and Edited by Howard Muncy Lars Jensen is a professor and chair of the math department at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada. In late 2021, Professor Jensen was involved...
Weaponizing Feelings and New Trends in Academic Freedom: An Interview with Jonathan Zimmerman
Weaponizing Feelings and New Trends in Academic Freedom: An Interview with Jonathan Zimmerman Conducted and edited by Howard Muncy Jonathan Zimmerman is the Judy and Howard Berkowitz Professor in Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Professor Zimmerman has...
An Emerging Community of Scholars: An Interview with Professor Christopher Tollefsen
An Emerging Community of Scholars: An Interview with Professor Christopher Tollefsen Conducted and edited by Howard Muncy Christopher Tollefsen, a founding member of the Academic Freedom Alliance, is a professor of philosophy at the University of South Carolina. I was...
AFA Calls for an End to “Divisive Concepts” Legislation
AFA Calls for an End to “Divisive Concepts” Legislation New wave of state level proposals seeks to ban instruction on race and gender topics PRINCETON, NJ – The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) today released a statement urging policymakers to refrain from adopting...
AFA Sends Letter to Hamline University Over Dismissal of Professor
AFA Sends Letter to Hamline University Over Dismissal of Professor Professor fired for showing medieval painting of Muhammad in session on Islamic art PRINCETON, NJ – The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) today sent a letter to Hamline University regarding its handling...
AFA Statement on NYU Prof. Maitland Jones
AFA Releases Statement on NYU Prof. Maitland Jones NYU refused to rehire Jones over his professional judgement in grading PRINCETON, NJ – The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) today released a statement on the non-renewal of employment for Prof. Maitland Jones of New...
AFA Sends Letter to University of Idaho on Abortion Guidance
AFA Sends Letter to U. of Idaho Regarding Classroom Discussion of Abortion Letter expresses concern over guidance that faculty should remain neutral on the topic PRINCETON, NJ – The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) today sent a letter to the University of Idaho...
Threats Left and Right: A Conversation with David Greenberg
Threats Left and Right: A Conversation with David Greenberg Conducted and edited by Howard Muncy David Greenberg, professor of history, as well as journalism and media studies at Rutgers University, was one of the earliest members of the Academic Freedom Alliance. I...
New Podcast Episode: Interview with Mitch Daniels
New Podcast Episode: Interview with Mitch Daniels A new episode of the Academic Freedom Podcast is out now, featuring an interview with Mitch Daniels, the outgoing president of Purdue University and former Republican governor of Indiana. The interview is conducted...
Seeking Justice, Seeking Truth: a Conversation with Nadine Strossen
Seeking Justice, Seeking Truth: a Conversation with Nadine Strossen Conducted and edited by Olivia Glunz Have you always been a proponent of academic freedom? If so, why, and if not, what led you to embrace the idea? I've been a proponent of academic freedom ever...
AFA Calls for An End to Required Diversity Statements
AFA Calls for An End to Required Diversity Statements Statement says forced pledges of conformity “threaten to impose a suffocating orthodoxy” PRINCETON, NJ – The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) today released a statement urging institutions of higher education to...
The Science of Freedom: a Conversation with Anna Krylov
The Science of Freedom: a Conversation with Anna Krylov Conducted and edited by Olivia Glunz What led you to become a proponent of academic freedom? I grew up in Soviet Russia. There, I was acutely aware of the absence of freedom of speech—that was one of the defining...
AFA Sends Letter to Penn on Amy Wax
AFA Sends Letter to Penn on Amy Wax Letter calls for end to consideration of “major sanction” against Wax PRINCETON, NJ – The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) today sent a letter to the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) in defense of Professor Amy Wax, Robert Mundheim...
The Nobility of Freedom: An Interview with Donald Downs
The Nobility of Freedom: An Interview with Donald Downs Conducted and edited by Olivia Glunz What led you to become a proponent of academic freedom? A turning point in my life was going to the movie Dr. Zhivago, based on Boris Pasternak’s masterpiece book of that...
Remembering John Hardy Lewis
Remembering John Hardy Lewis The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) joins with friends, family, and the legal community in remembering John Hardy Lewis, a member of our Legal Advisory Council, a distinguished attorney, and an admired member of his community. Mr. Lewis...
AFA Sends Letter to St. Olaf College in Minnesota
AFA Sends Letter to St. Olaf College in Minnesota Letter calls out a “grievous assault on the intellectual climate of the college” PRINCETON, NJ – The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) today sent a letter to St. Olaf College regarding its decision to rescind Professor...
AFA Sends Letter to Princeton About Ongoing Retaliation Against Professor
AFA Sends Letter to Princeton About Ongoing Retaliation Against Professor Letter criticizes the continued labeling of Prof. Joshua Katz as a racist PRINCETON, NJ – The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) today sent a letter to Princeton University regarding its continued...
AFA Welcomes Nadine Strossen to its Legal Advisory Council
Strossen is a former President of the ACLU and expert on free speech issues
AFA Sends Letter to San Diego State on Professor’s Suspension
AFA Sends Letter to San Diego State on Professor’s Suspension University suspended Professor for mentioning racial epithets in class on race PRINCETON, NJ – The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) sent a letter to San Diego State University over its suspension of...
AFA Sends Letter to University of Dayton on Speaker Disinvitation
AFA Sends Letter to University of Dayton on Speaker Disinvitation University disinvited speaker over her position on abortion PRINCETON, NJ – The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) sent a letter to the University of Dayton on its recent decision to disinvite Dr. Tlaleng...
Letter to Concordia Wisconsin on Gregory Schulz
Letter to Concordia Wisconsin on Gregory Schulz Rev. Dr. Schulz suspended for criticizing university’s “wokeness” PRINCETON, NJ – The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) sent a letter today to Concordia University Wisconsin regarding Rev. Dr. Gregory Schulz, a tenured...
Statement on Texas Proposals to Eliminate Tenure
AFA statement says the proposals “strike at the very heart of the academic enterprise”
AFA Sends Letter to SUNY Fredonia Regarding Stephen Kershnar
Letter calls on university to issue a statement reaffirming Kershnar’s academic freedom
AFA Sends Letter to Collin College on Michael Phillips
Letter calls for reversal of decision not to renew Phillips’ employment contract
AFA Sends Letter to Georgetown Law on Ilya Shapiro
Letter states that Shapiro should face no formal consequences for controversial comments
AFA Sends Letter to Penn on Amy Wax Case
Letter states that Wax should face no formal consequences for controversial comments
AFA Sends Letter to LSU Defending Prof. Robert Mann
Louisiana AG called on Prof. Mann to be disciplined for tweeting criticisms
AFA Case Updates
The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) today issued the following updates on three cases in which it is involved.
AFA Sends Letter to University of Rochester on Professor’s Use of N-Word
Letter defends Professor David Bleich, who was suspended for using the word in class
AFA Sends Two Letters Regarding Academic Freedom Cases
Letters address controversies at the University of Michigan and Indiana University
AFA Statement on University of Florida Policy Reversal
AFA applauds university’s decision as a victory for academic freedom
AFA Statement on Mandatory Statements
AFA Statement on Mandatory Statements AFA: Universities must not mandate that faculty embrace certain statements of values PRINCETON, NJ – Today, the Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) issued a statement regarding the rising incidence of universities requiring faculty to...
AFA Sends Follow Up Letter to University of Florida After Partial Reversal
AFA Sends Follow Up Letter to University of Florida After Partial Reversal Letter comments on University’s decision to allow professors to testify on a “pro bono” basis PRINCETON, NJ – Today, the Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) sent a follow up letter to the...
AFA Denounces University of Florida for Blocking Professors from Serving as Witnesses in Case Against the State
AFA Denounces University of Florida for Blocking Professors from Serving as Witnesses in Case Against the State Letter calls decision a “serious violation” of academic freedom PRINCETON, NJ – Today, the Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) sent a letter to the University...
AFA Membership Surpasses 400
The Academic Freedom Alliance announced that its membership has grown to 406 faculty members across the United States. Since launching in March 2021 with more than 200 founding members, the AFA has continued to add a diverse contingent of new members in a rolling invitation and review process overseen by its Membership Committee.
AFA Condemns Suspension of Michigan Professor Bright Sheng
AFA Condemns Suspension of Michigan Professor Bright Sheng In a letter, the AFA criticizes suspension as “egregious violation” of academic freedom PRINCETON, NJ – This week, the Academic Freedom Alliance sent a letter to the president and provost of the University of...
AFA Sends Follow-Up Letter to MIT on Speaker Disinvitation
Letter responds to MIT provost’s note to faculty defending disinvitation of Prof. Dorian Abbot
AFA Sends Letter to MIT Condemning Disinvitation of Speaker, Urging Reversal
AFA Sends Letter to MIT Condemning Disinvitation of Speaker, Urging Reversal Letter: Disinvitation of Professor Dorian Abbot from prestigious lecture “represents an egregious violation of the principles of academic freedom” PRINCETON, NJ – Today, the Academic Freedom...
AFA Defends Air Force Academy Professor Amid Controversy Over Critical Race Theory
AFA Defends Air Force Academy Professor Amid Controversy Over Critical Race Theory PRINCETON, NJ -- Today, the Academic Freedom Alliance released the following statement in support of the rights of Air Force Academy professor Lynne Chandler Garcia, who has come under...
After AFA Intervention, Two Universities Decline to Sanction Professors Over Speech
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 5, 2021Contact: press@academicfreedom.org After AFA Intervention, Two Universities Decline to Sanction Professors Over Speech The Universities of San Diego and Rhode Island abandoned investigations of...
Academic Freedom Alliance Stands with USD Law Professor in China Controversy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 22, 2021 Contact: press@academicfreedom.org Academic Freedom Alliance Stands with USD Law Professor in China Controversy PRINCETON, NJ – The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) released a statement of solidarity today regarding the case of...
200+ Faculty Across U.S. Launch Non-Partisan Academic Freedom Alliance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2021 Contact: press@academicfreedom.org 200+ Faculty Across U.S. Launch Non-Partisan Academic Freedom Alliance Organization will offer solidarity, legal support on free speech cases regardless of ideology ...
Learn More About the Academic Freedom Alliance
Individuals at academic institutions should not fear suppression or retaliation for teaching, writing, or speaking. We encourage you to join the movement in supporting the flourishing of intellectual life and the pursuit of knowledge and truth at institutions of higher learning.