Academic freedom is an ever-evolving concept that includes higher ed instructors’ freedom to research and publish, to discuss relevant issues in the classroom and to express views without censorship or discipline by their employers. While it isn’t always extended to students beyond their right to learn, it’s related to the spirit of free speech traditionally associated with campus life.
Pittsburgh’s Public Source has launched a new series, “Gagging Academia: The right to teach, debate and protest faces a high-stakes challenge in Pittsburgh’s universities and beyond.” The series begins with an overview of local academic freedom history, but the topic has never been more current. President Donald Trump’s administration is aggressively engaging with higher ed in ways that could reshape research, classroom content, enrollment and student speech.
Pittsburgh hasn’t escaped the tumult. We want your input.
Your responses will inform reporting in this series. Please fill out the form below or reach out directly to reporter Maddy Franklin at madison@publicsource.org or @maddyfranklin.10 on Signal.
Coverage of higher ed by Pittsburgh’s Public Source is in partnership with Open Campus.




