Academic Freedom and Institutional Power
Academic Freedom, Institutional Power, and Conflicts in the Classroom
Recent debates on trigger warnings, difficult material, call-outs, and other challenging classroom dynamics have linked these issues to questions of academic freedom (Curtis 2021). Academic freedom, a scholarly principle introduced in the modern university system in the mid-20th century, protects faculty and students pursuing research and inquiry on topics that may challenge dominant paradigms or political interests (e.g., protecting people from being fired without cause, imprisoned, etc.)
When arguments over academic freedom position students and faculty as opponents in debates over new discourses and norms in education, it is helpful to consider how institutional power is at play and whether repression is being exercised. You can use the following questions to help identify if you are facing a threat to your academic freedom, are being called to account for potential harm you have caused, or are caught up in a conflict you are unprepared for. How you respond might be more effectively determined by reflecting on what is happening rather than your first reaction to a charged or difficult interaction.
Questions to ask
Who holds institutional power in this situation?
Are there contexts where the parties involved hold different positions simultaneously?
For example, a part-time faculty member may also be a student; a full-time professor may be disabled and experience institutional ableism while simultaneously being protected by tenure; a student who is a vocal activist was targeted by the university for disciplinary proceedings; an alumni of the university with ties to a powerful lobby organization.
Identifying who holds power and in what capacity can illustrate whether a situation is simply uncomfortable or actually threatens your academic freedom.
What is the nature of the demand?
Are there requests for you to adjust your teaching or demands for you to be fired? Is this a call for accountability and responsibility for your actions, or is it part of a wider political campaign to silence and intimidate faculty?
Recognizing the nature of the demand can help you identify whether this is an attack on your academic freedom (as in the case of political campaigns to silence and intimidate faculty or calls for removal without cause) or a demand for accountability and a request for you to adapt and change your approach as a consequence of harm you’ve done (whether intentional or not.)
What is the likely consequence of these demands?
Are you at risk of losing your job? Has your research funding been revoked or not awarded without explanation? Or are you being asked to change your teaching or receive professional development training in response to complaints?
The consequence may be impacted by who holds power (e.g. a campaign to have you fired led by students may represent a smaller threat to your academic freedom compared to major lobbyists who are