Category: Academic Freedom
“Most respectful of the truth”: Exploring open-mindedness with Mark Lenker
We often think of open-mindedness as a personality trait, but Mark Lenker’s research reveals that open-mindedness is more an activity of mind than a state of mind. In a conversation following his LOEX 2020 presentation, “Open-mindedness is an achievement: Prototyping a new threshold concert for information literacy,” Lenker describes the habits – and limits – of open-mindedness, the relationship between open-mindedness and intellectual freedom, and how open-mindedness can be integrated into information literacy instruction and other areas of librarianship.
From Lawyers to Language Practices: Two Hip-Hop Professors and the Living Legacy of 2 Live Crew
In recognition of Fair Use / Fair Dealing Week, professors of hip hop A. D. Carson and Justin De Senso share insights on the place of fair use in teaching and learning, what happens when you invite lawyers to class, creating historiography-by-discography, what it’s like to send a scholarly album out for peer review, and rap ensemble 2 Live Crew’s contributions to fair use, free expression, and hip hop history.
Community Theater & Artistic Freedom: An interview with Leena Devlin
“I believe theater is there to broaden your mind, to really look at the way you view the world to explore the idea that maybe you’re not looking at it as widely as you can.”
Intellectual Freedom? Don’t Make Me Laugh: Censorship and Comedy
Many comedians have commented on performing for “politically correct” college campuses, but when does correctness become censorship?
Scholars at Risk’s Free Online Course on Academic Freedom
The Scholars at Risk (SAR) Network has developed a free massive open online course (MOOC) on academic freedom titled Dangerous Questions: Why Academic Freedom Matters.
Ethics of Analysis: Learning Analytics and Academic Libraries
Many academic institutions–and their libraries–are using learning analytics to improve their services and reach out to students who need help, but when does data collection cross the line and become surveillance?
Banned Books to Dissident Scholars: Promoting Higher Education Values to Curb Censorship
Over the last several years, the state of academic freedom around the world has ushered renewed scrutiny. Yet how often do we consider how remarkable it is to engage in dialogue and debate about the key concept that protects the very space that allows us to do so?
Keeping Archives Active: Access to the Past for a More Peaceful Future
By preserving stories from all sides, supporting efforts to teach history in a holistic fashion, and honoring multiple perspectives, vibrant libraries and archives can be an important ingredient in moving beyond sectarianism.
Paywall: The Business of Scholarship – A review & discussion with Director Jason Schmitt
The documentary, which is well worth watching, delves into the large profit margins of the major scholarly publishers and the risings costs to subscribers, the growing open access movement, and the paradox posed by a system where much of the labor force (authors and editors) work for free, then have their institutions pay to access the content later.
Chinese Professor Suspended After Speaking Out About President Jinping
Following the publication of his more recent Imminent Fears piece, Xu was allegedly ordered by university officials to stop “all teaching and research” and take a pay cut. A university “work team” would also be investigating him and the essays he has been writing.