Academic Freedom in Higher Education: Core Value or Elite Privilege?

The book explores the challenges facing universities and individual scholars through an examination of the history and theory underlying academic freedom, which is under threat in the twenty-first century. It offers insights for an educated public about an issue of pressing, contemporary significance and is of interest to researchers, policy makers, staff and students across higher education and the general public.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 212 pages
Publication date: 12 July 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Academic freedom is a fundamental principle of contemporary liberal democracies, allowing individuals to express their opinions without fear of reprisal. However, academic freedom is not a right that is automatically granted; it must be earned through the acquisition of expert knowledge and the application of intellectual rigour in teaching and research. This timely book explores the challenges facing universities and individual scholars through an examination of the history and theory underlying the concept of academic freedom. The expert contributors to this book, from different global regions, examine both the importance of academic freedom and the severe threats universities face in this context in the twenty-first century. With its interdisciplinary perspective and cross-national emphasis, central issues in this text are illustrated through detailed examination of case studies and consideration of wider developments in the academy. Adopting a longue duree approach, rather than discussing the details of fast-moving controversies, the analyses offer insights for an educated public about an issue of pressing, contemporary significance. This book will be of interest to researchers, policy makers, staff and students across higher education and to members of the general public, who are concerned about these important and contested matters.

Weight: 362g
Dimension: 234 x 157 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032425511