Two recent articles in University Affairs touch on the topics of free speech, academic freedom, and external pressures when responding to global affairs. In an interview with UA, Canadian Association of University Teachers Executive Director David Robinson discusses the nuances of academic freedom in the broader context of global events such as the war in Gaza. Robinson emphasizes the need for clarity—such as explicitly defining what constitutes antisemitism and Islamophobic behaviour—when dealing with tensions on campus. In a separate article, Mohamed Berrada highlights several examples of how Canadian universities are balancing academic freedom and free speech against external pressures from members of parliament, donors, and the community.
