The freedom to teach, research and express ideas without censorship or unreasonable interference is a central tenet of the modern university. As pillars of democracy, higher education institutions should aim to embed this idea into all their activities, from how they are run to what their students read. But academic freedom is under threat from politicisation, polarisation and policing of certain views, forcing universities and colleges to reassert their commitment to this guiding principle. Here, academics from around the world explore how to keep the flame of free thought and enquiry alight in the classroom, in research and beyond.
![Illustration of torch representing academic freedom for spotlight](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2023-09/1600%20x%201200%20210923-01.png?itok=WJGOVLEV)
Freedom of research and enquiry
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![University teacher](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2023-09/iStock-teacher.jpg?itok=yeTcE1FQ)
How to maximise freedom of enquiry in the classroom
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![robot hand tipping a chess piece](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2023-09/iStock-artifical-intelligence-chess.jpg?itok=7hJSOo1g)
Advice to faculty on protecting academic freedom
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![Power of the pen](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2023-09/iStock-power-of-pen.jpg?itok=gGUrvgib)
Upholding pluralism and freedom of speech
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![Scissors clipping speech bubble](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2023-09/iStock-freeedom-of-speech.jpg?itok=fWUgjjZE)
Inclusion of thought
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