Academics must have academic freedom to effectively do their work: Spooner

Academic freedom is a work-specific consideration rather than a “luxury perk,” writes University of Regina Professor Marc Spooner. Spooner argues that while current debates often treat academic freedom as being synonymous with free speech, academic freedom differs in that it ensures that academics can research and speak freely about their findings without fear of upsetting those in powerful positions. The author writes that academic freedom can be likened to other special considerations granted to those in certain jobs, and that in this context it is “neither unique nor unreasonable.” “[Academic freedom] is simply the commonplace and understandable request of workers asking for the conditions they need to competently and effectively carry out their duties as expected, required and urgently needed by society,” Spooner concludes. The Conversation Note: Archived stories may contain dead links or be missing source links.