Academic Freedom and (Anti) Social Media?

Abstract

In this the first issue of the 2022 year, it seems timely to address a topic that is uppermost in the rhetoric around high education—and at the center of my commitment to higher education: academic freedom.

My introduction to the concept of academic freedom was as a newbie librarian—and I did not realize at the time how privileged I was to attain a position that was a tenure-track faculty position at an institution with enough funding to support research and service. My focus then was on developing research skills and identifying a focus that was compelling to me and to others (although I must admit that my initial intention was to stay 3 years and then go back to the West Coast once I had some experience—25 years later, I am still in Texas).

My concept of academic freedom was formed from this experience—where I have the latitude (and responsibility) to choose my own direction for my research.