In Wake of “Stop Woke”: Two empirical analyses of threats to academic free speech

• In Event: Measured Response to Policy Changes

Abstract

While anecdotal evidence suggests that many U.S. faculty self-censor and fear freely expressing their views, empirical research on this topic remains limited. Here, we present novel results from two national surveys. First, a survey of professors (n=6,269) indicates that approximately one-in-seven report having been disciplined or threatened with discipline for teaching, research, academic talks, or other off-campus speech. Notable proportions also report self-censoring in these domains, with tenured professors only slightly less likely to report self-censoring. In a second study, we surveyed professors publicly targeted for their speech (n=209). While just 20% were terminated and a quarter lost other job opportunities, majorities reported emotional stress, nearly half lost professional relationships, and roughly a quarter reported seeking psychological counseling.

Authors

• Robert A. Maranto, University of Arkansas

• Nathan Honeycutt, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression

• Komi Frey, University of Pennsylvania