Academic Freedom at Risk: Conservatives Face Support Divide, Scholars Fear Reprisals
A recent survey reveals a stark divide in academic support for conservative and liberal scholars. While 29% of liberal scholars received backing from their faculty union, only 7% of conservatives did. This disparity, coupled with professional and personal risks faced by scholars for speaking freely, has created a chilled climate for speech and expression.
Scholars across the US have faced severe consequences for exercising their right to free speech. Between 2020 and 2024, 47% lost professional relationships, 40% were ostracized at work, and 29% saw collateral damage extend to their personal lives. Notably, 20% even lost their jobs. These sanctions had a significant impact, with 94% of affected scholars reporting negative outcomes.
The lack of support is not limited to faculty unions. Only 19% of conservative scholars received moderate support from colleagues, compared to 40% of liberals. This divide is concerning, as it may hinder the very intellectual diversity that universities should foster. The general public, however, bucks this trend, with 55% supporting conservatives and 37% backing liberals.
To address these issues, universities must adopt several measures. They should strive to hire faculty with diverse viewpoints, host civil debates to encourage open dialogue, and enforce rules against disruptive protests. Most importantly, they must protect all speech, even when unpopular or controversial, to create an environment where scholars feel safe to express their views.
The current climate in academia, marked by a lack of support for conservative scholars and the professional and personal risks faced by all scholars for speaking freely, is unsustainable. Universities must take concrete steps to foster intellectual diversity and protect free speech. Failure to do so may stifle academic freedom and hinder the pursuit of knowledge.
