Suspension of Texas Tech Professor Raises Questions About Due Process and Academic Freedom
Should a professor’s comments outside the classroom lead to his suspension and investigation as a faculty member? More
Calls by Lawmakers to Disband LGBTQ Studies and Remove “Critical Race Theory” at Texas A & M
Jeremy C. Young, Freedom to Learn program director at PEN America, said in response: “This level of ideological meddling into the affairs of a university by politicians is frightening.… More
Firing of Catholic U Lecturer Over Guest Speaker’s Abortion Comments Called “Punitive and Drastic”
Kristen Shahverdian, senior manager in PEN America’s Free Expression and Education program, said: “Firing a faculty member because of the speech of their guest is a gross violation of… More
The Discriminatory Impact Of Book Bans And Educational Gag Orders On LGBTQ+ Expression
Threats to free expression in education have a discriminatory impact on LGBTQ speech and topics, PEN America and PEN International show in a joint submission to the United Nations. More
The Perilous State of Academic Freedom and Free Expression in Education
PEN America and PEN International jointly submit a contribution to the Special Rapporteur’s report on academic freedom in educational institutions. More
Tenure Review for Former Chancellor of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Who was Fired Should be Halted
Kristen Shahverdian, senior manager of free expression and education at PEN America, said: “Professors are allowed to have private lives – and private speech. While a Board of Regents… More
PEN America: Florida Education Commissioner “Undermines Academic Freedom” With Ideologically-Motivated Ban of Sociology from General Education Curricula
“This is an alarming statement by Manny Díaz, and one that substantially undermines academic freedom and university governance in the state. While governing boards are free to modify general… More
PEN America Proudly Supports Introduction of Congressional Resolutions Condemning Book Bans and Educational Censorship
PEN America endorsed the resolution and praised the lawmakers’ commitment to preserving free expression in classrooms and libraries. More
“Blatantly Inappropriate Investigation” of Texas A&M Professor After She Criticized the Lieutenant Governor
Kristen Shahverdian, senior manager in PEN America’s Free Expression and Education program, said: “This blatantly inappropriate investigation is a frightening example of how precarious academic freedom is becoming on… More
The Culture Wars Are Coming for College Accreditation
An aspect of higher education governance has increasingly been targeted in legislative censorship efforts: college and university accreditation. More