There can be no more vital issue for academics than academic freedom
I’m thrilled to announce my recent acceptance as a member of the Heterodox Academy. While you can submit an application to join as a representative of your university as either a student OR faculty (as a PhD student and adjunct professor at two different universities I am both), and I applied based on my faculty position here in Taiwan.
What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy is that I am not only among the select few to be part of this esteemed group but also only the second individual from Taiwan to have the honor. I’m excited to represent Taiwan and contribute meaningfully to this distinguished community of scholars from around the globe. Few issues are as crucial to academics as academic freedom. The foundation of the university system rests on the relentless quest for truth and the belief that questioning one’s own preconceptions is honorable and essential. When the freedom to openly discuss and debate ideas is restricted, the entire campus community suffers. Orthodoxy takes hold, empathy wanes, and students depart campus with diminished ability to think critically on important issues.
If you haven’t heard of it, Heterodox Academy is a non-profit organization founded by a group of professors and scholars with the aim of promoting viewpoint diversity, open inquiry, and constructive disagreement in academia. The organization was established in 2015 in response to concerns about the lack of ideological diversity and the suppression of dissenting opinions on (American) college campuses.
The core mission of HA is to encourage universities and colleges to embrace a broader range of perspectives and to create environments where faculty, students, and administrators feel free to express their ideas and engage in respectful debate. They advocate for policies and practices that support intellectual diversity, including hiring practices that prioritize diverse viewpoints, promoting free speech principles, and fostering a culture of openness and intellectual humility.
The organization provides resources, research, and support for scholars, educators, and institutions interested in promoting viewpoint diversity and constructive discourse. They also host events, conferences, and workshops to facilitate discussions on topics related to intellectual diversity, free speech, and academic freedom. They have communities set up so that you can connect based on geographical region or scholarly pursuits. I’ve just applied to join the East Asia community and will hopefully make some good connections!
Jaclynn Joyce 