Are EDI statements a threat to academic freedom?: Editorial

With some institutions now asking job candidates to submit EDI statements, CAUT Executive Director David Robinson reflects on whether this practice violates academic freedom. Robinson explains that the answer is: Sometimes. When an institution asks for a statement that would demonstrate a prospective faculty member’s awareness and approach to eliminating barriers to equity-deserving groups’ academic success, Robinson argues that that is “entirely appropriate and relevant to the job.” However, Robinson writes that statements that must demonstrate alignment with an institution’s particular perspective on and strategy with EDI may violate academic freedom, as there are different and competing viewpoints on the topic.