The New McCarthyism: The Future of DEI and Academic Freedom in Higher Education (Two Events Addressing Current Sociopolitical Pressures on Higher Education)

EVENT 1: 

Manufactured Rage Against DEI as an Affront to Academic Freedom

The principles and practices of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have material, individual and societal benefits as evidenced by years of interdisciplinary research and scholarship. Despite gains due to these efforts, higher education and other social institutions are being targeted for their commitment to and investments in DEI, in favor of race, identity, or characteristic specific evasive approaches that do not account for historical and contemporary discriminatory and exclusionary practices that make DEI necessary. Though DEI initiatives are the current target, DEI only serves as an entry point into higher education with the intent of disrupting and dismantling the institution with academic freedom being another major target. Many scholars across a wide range of fields and disciplines interrogate inequities and disparities within and across groups and are now at risk of their research and scholarship being politicized and demonized due to an intensifying culture war that devalues the merit of such research, scholarship, and praxis. During this lecture and panel, Isaac Kamola, Associate Professor of Political Science at Trinity College, will give a speak on the genesis of current attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and their implications on academic freedom, followed by a panel where panelists will consider why attacks on DEI are an affront to academic freedom, how such attacks impact critical areas of research, and the impact on higher education and society at large. Lastly, the panel will imagine possibilities for collaborative strategies within and outside of the academy to counteract these attacks.  

After the event, a reception will be held in Victors Hall. Boxed food will be available for anyone observing Ramadan to take home. 

NOTE: To attend this session remotely, please register via this link.  

EVENT 2: 

The New McCarthyism: Authoritarianism and the Future of Academic Freedom

Academic freedom has continuously been subject to political and governmental pressures operating to censor subjects deemed controversial. Historically and now, political and governmental pressures have led to McCarthy-esque crusades intent on rooting out alleged idealogues bent on indoctrinating students with “dangerous” ideas. Today, these attacks on higher education have been turbo-charged, with a well-funded and well-organized barrage of governmental and political forces operating collectively to undermine academic freedom. Faculty are facing pressures to avoid a multitude of subjects, including DEI, gender studies, climate science, women’s healthcare, the Middle East, critical race theory, and vaccines. The combined impact of these pressures threatens the vigorous inquiry necessary for advancing human understanding. This panel discussion will consider historic and contemporary political and governmental attacks on higher education, campus speech, and institutional responses, and it will offer suggestions toward counteracting such authoritarian efforts to limit academic freedom.

Breakfast refreshments and snacks will be provided during the event. To-go boxes will be available for anyone observing Ramadan to take home. 

Watch the livestream here: https://youtube.com/live/5RgwMbb7TVM?feature=share