What’s in a feeling? Shame and Expression on University Campuses

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Wednesday 9:45am
  In Poster Session: Higher Education

Abstract

Current normative debates on open expression on campuses focus on the perceived tensions between broad legal and institutional protections of speech, and the inclusion and well-being of diverse students and voices. I resituate these debates, and the challenge of identifying speech-related harm, around the complex emotion of shame. I define the relationship between shame and speech: shame is unpredictable and can materially impact expression on campus. I introduce preliminary framing for why and how to acknowledge and attend to shame to support open expression, drawing on shame-sensitive practice (Dolezal and Lyons). Theorizing shame in expression highlights the limitations of a legal approach to speech on campus and supports more thoughtful and inclusive practice for vigorous and intellectual debates on campus.

Author

• Penelope Lusk, University of Pennsylvania