AAUP “Understanding the Evolving Threats to Academic Freedom” Panel

Members of AFT Connecticut-affiliated unions are invited to join this discussion focusing on current threats facing the academic freedom of professors, faculty and staff in higher education institutions. Panelists will address: 

• the legislative assault in states such as Florida and Texas;
• the influence of activist donors on the integrity of teaching and research, 
• the impact of anti-Black racism & 
• the anti-democratic threats stemming from fundamentalist approaches to free speech on campus.

Afshan Jafar, president of the Connecticut State Conference of the AAUP, will moderate the discussion, which is hosted by the AAUP’s Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom. Panelists include:

• Sumi Cho, director of strategic initiatives at the African American Policy Forum;
• Mary Anne Franks, Eugene L. and Barbara A. Bernard Professor in Intellectual Property, Technology, and Civil Rights Law at George Washington Law School;
• Nancy MacLean, William H. Chafe Professor of History and Public Policy at Duke University; &
• Barrett Taylor, professor and coordinator of the higher education program at the University of North Texas.

Members are asked to RSVP (contact information at right) by Sep 11 2024.