Academic Freedom in Faculty and Student Research: Leveraging Shared Leadership to Protect Students, Faculty, and Institutions from Politically Motivated Attacks on Academic Freedom

Abstract

This chapter discusses the challenges of safeguarding academic freedom during leadership transitions and organizational change in universities. Examples from a large public university illustrate current challenges and provide perspective for proactive measures to protect academic freedom. While the context and details are unique to the institution featured in the chapter, the lessons gleaned from each vignette offer valuable insight to faculty and university leaders who are motivated to better understand and uphold the principles of academic freedom and, more broadly, protected speech with higher education. To support academic leaders in achieving these goals, a conceptual framework for shared leadership through shared governance to support academic freedom is presented. The chapter concludes with recommendations for leveraging shared leadership to foster a university culture that supports of academic freedom.

Citation

Purcell, J.W. (2020), "Academic Freedom in Faculty and Student Research: Leveraging Shared Leadership to Protect Students, Faculty, and Institutions from Politically Motivated Attacks on Academic Freedom", Sengupta, E. and Blessinger, P. (Ed.) Faculty and Student Research in Practicing Academic Freedom (Innovations in Higher Education Teaching and Learning, Vol. 31), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 139-157. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2055-364120200000031020