Perspectives on Academic Freedom
In 2019, alarmed by attacks on academic freedom happening simultaneously in several parts of the world (Brazil, India, Turkey, and the USA, among others), a group of faculty in the History Department decided to organize a year-long seminar series to discuss the role of academics in an age of advancing authoritarianism. The pandemic derailed our plans. The crises of the past few months have given us a new sense of urgency. How can the university remain a place of unfettered critical inquiry and expression when its mission is overtly challenged by corporate and governing interests?
Program
10:15 a.m.
Opening remarks by Sugata Bose, Harvard University
10:30 to 11:45 a.m.
Keynote Address
William Kirby, Harvard University
University Governance and Academic Freedom
Moderated by David Armitage, Harvard University
11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Lunch Break
1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Panel 1: Academic Freedom around the Globe
Jayati Ghosh, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Zeynep Kadirbeyoglu, Brandeis University
Sidney Chalhoub, Harvard University
Moderated by Cemal Kafadar
2:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Coffee Break
3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Joan Scott, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, joining on Zoom
Interviewed by Kirsten Weld and Sidney Chalhoub
4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Panel 2: Academic Freedom in the US
Durba Mitra, Harvard University
Beshara Doumani, Brown University
Brian Connolly, University of South Florida
Moderated by Rosie Bsheer
This event is open to members of the Harvard community only. Please bring your Harvard ID for check in.
Please register to attend this event here.