Research & Reports

  • Educational CensorshipU.S. Free Expression

    America’s Censored Classrooms 2024

    Since 2021, PEN America has tracked state-level educational censorship legislation in our Index of Educational Gag Orders. In this report,…

  • U.S. Free Expression

    Project 2025

    What is Project 2025? Project 2025 is a set of policy proposals from the Heritage Foundation–a think-tank that describes its…

  • Global Free Expression

    Freedom to Write Index 2023

    Introduction Authoritarian regimes instinctively understand the significant role that writers—and, by extension, free expression—play in promoting critical inquiry, fostering connections…

  • Banned BooksU.S. Free Expression

    Banned in the USA: Narrating the Crisis

    The book ban crisis is often referred to by its numbers. A rising number of bans, more states impacted, more…

  • Online Abuse & Digital SafetyU.S. Free Expression

    The Power of Peer Support

    External Expert: Susan E. McGregor Research Scholar, Data Science Institute, Columbia University Introduction Online abuse stifles freedom of expression, undermines…

  • U.S. Free Expression

    Cracks in the Facade

    Introduction Over the past three years, Florida has endured an invasive and far reaching attack on rights to free speech…

  • Banned BooksU.S. Free Expression

    Spineless Shelves: Two Years of Book Banning

    PEN America Needs Your Help Join us to #FreeTheBooks by taking action and making your voice heard. Download the Index…

  • California Effect Featured Image
    U.S. Free Expression

    The California Effect

    In our accompanying report, we examine how Florida’s legislative proposals have been replicated around the nation, providing a blueprint for…

  • U.S. Free Expression

    The Florida Effect

    In our accompanying report, we examine how California’s free expression policies set new legislative agendas where states may not have…

  • Educational CensorshipU.S. Free Expression

    America’s Censored Classrooms 2023

    Read an introduction to this report by Eduardo J. Padrón  Learn more about educational censorship and what you can do…

  • Global Free Expression

    Taming Culture in Georgia

    Read “Protecting the Real Georgian Dream,” an introduction by PEN America President Ayad Akhtar >> წაიკითხეთ ეს მოხსენება ქართულად >> Читать доклад…

  • Prison and Justice WritingBanned Books

    Reading Between the Bars

    Introduction At Nash Correctional Institution in North Carolina, a series of low-lying brick buildings ringed with barbed wire fencing, parking…