ɫ��ɫ

Academic freedom is fundamental to higher education. Without it, everyone loses the value created by university educators, researchers and scholars.  

“If we aren't free to pursue research and teaching based on wherever the knowledge leads us, we are not truly working in the service of the public,” said an associate professor of gender, sexuality and women’s studies and Asian American studies in the College of Letters and Science at ɫ��ɫ. 

In her work as the appointed chair of the  committee on academic freedom and tenure, Jaleel plays a key role in defining it and sharing the value it creates for society.  

How academic freedom changes and saves lives 

Academic freedom protects the rights of university faculty to pursue and discuss all relevant topics and ideas in classrooms, lecture halls and labs. It is at the foundation of one of the most powerful and fundamental ideas about universities: they produce knowledge that is beneficial to society without the need for immediate profitability. 

“It's not about predetermining the outcome,” said Jaleel. “It's about allowing as much debate as possible to produce the best knowledge possible.” 

Jaleel cited the discovery of  in Flint, Michigan, which saved people’s lives. When pediatrician and University of Michigan professor  heard about water quality issues in the city, she conducted an analysis that found elevated levels of lead in children’s blood samples after the city’s water source was changed. This discovery saved lives. 

The Association of American Universities recently released a report about the  taking place now. ɫ��ɫ is among the five universities that are documenting current research that will have a major impact on the world, from  to meeting natural disaster risk to treatments for Alzheimer’s.  

“With disciplines like ethnic studies or science that's tied to racial equity or environmental impacts, even if you think some of this research isn't something that you would like funded, attacks on those disciplines themselves open the door to further politicized intrusion into higher education,” said Jaleel. 

What is academic freedom in higher education? 

Academic freedom protects the ability for faculty and students to explore all avenues of scholarship and for faculty to speak and write about all matters of public concern as well as on matters related to professional duties and the functioning of the university. 

Jaleel said that while academic freedom is not always protected by law, there are some first amendment protections in public colleges and universities. Academic freedom clauses in faculty handbooks constitute contractual guarantees.  

Beyond law, academic freedom is an institutional norm that universities strive to uphold and advance. It is expressly tied to advancing knowledge through disciplinary expertise for the public benefit.  

It is the bedrock of a system of research and scholarship in which people with the highest levels of training debate facts and are judged by their peers, she said. Combined with the ability to experiment, collect evidence and information, this rigorous process is what generates the best understanding of our world.  

“Universities advance knowledge that serves the public and educates students, preparing them to live in a democracy,” said Jaleel. “To succeed in those missions takes a lot of different kinds of people.” 

A full version of this originally appearing on the College of Letters and Science website.