Committee to Review State of Academic Freedom, Responsibility, Free Expression and Engagement at Duke

Karin Shapiro teaches AAS 316s, “Apartheid South Africa and the Struggles for Democracy” in Friedle 216, on First Day Of Classes
In an affirmation of the importance of academic freedom and free expression in teaching and research at Duke, a new committee will review university policies and practices to ensure they honor the university’s commitment to the robust, respectful, and responsible exchange of ideas. Photo by Bill Snead

In consultation with the President’s and Provost’s Offices, the Academic Council has charged and assembled a faculty committee to examine the state of academic freedom and responsibility, free expression and engagement at Duke. Among other things, the committee will:

  • review institutional structures, governance policies, practices and educational programs both at Duke and at peer institutions, which bear on free, open, respectful and responsible scholarly inquiry, teaching and service;
  • examine whether these structures, policies, practices and programs honor Duke’s commitment to the robust, respectful, and responsible exchange of ideas in a community that prizes and aspires to safeguard the belonging and flourishing of all its members; and
  • describe opportunities to affirm, deepen and expand Duke’s commitment to academic freedom and responsibility, free expression and belonging, and constructive engagement in a pluralistic community, and where appropriate, make recommendations concerning changes to existing institutional structures, policies, and practices.

“The work of this committee is critically important as the issues under consideration go to the heart of the university enterprise,” said Trina Jones, chair of the Academic Council and Jerome M. Culp Distinguished Professor of Law. “The Executive Committee of the Academic Council, on behalf of the Academic Council, is pleased to partner with the president and provost on such an important endeavor.” 

“Almost 60 years have passed since Duke’s commitment to academic freedom was enshrined in the faculty handbook,” said Provost Alec D. Gallimore. “Academic freedom is fundamental to a university’s core missions of research, teaching and service, and this is an appropriate time to reflect on and examine Duke’s commitment and related issues of free expression and engagement. I am grateful to my colleagues for agreeing to embark on this great service to Duke.”

Professor Charlotte Sussman, chair of Duke’s English department, is chairing the committee.  Other committee members are: 

  • Joseph Blocher, Lanty L. Smith ’67 Distinguished Professor of Law
  • Shani Daily, Cue Family Professor of the Practice, Pratt School of Engineering
  • Peter Feaver, Professor of Political Science, Sanford School of Public Policy
  • Campbell Harvey, J. Paul Sticht Professor, Fuqua School of Business and member of the Executive Committee of the Academic Council
  • Adrian Hernandez, Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine
  • Timothy Lovelace, John Hope Franklin Research Scholar Professor of Law
  • Nancy MacLean, William H. Chafe Distinguished Professor of History and Public Policy, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences
  • Eleanor McConnell, Associate Professor, School of Nursing
  • Eric Mlyn, Kenan Distinguished Faculty Fellow & Lecturer in the Sanford School of Public Policy
  • Dalia Patino-Echeverri, Gendell Family Associate Professor, Nicholas School of the Environment
  • Deondra Rose, Kevin D. Gorter Associate Professor, Sanford School of Public Policy
  • Georgia Tomaras, Professor in Surgery, Immunology, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, School of Medicine
  • Brittany Wilson, Associate Professor, Divinity School
  • Trina Jones, Chair, Duke University Academic Council, and Jerome M. Culp Distinguished Professor of Law (ex officio)
  • Abbas Benmamoun, Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement and Professor of Asian & Middle Eastern Studies and Linguistics (ex officio)

“I’m honored to be chairing this outstanding committee, drawn from all parts of the university, and covering a wide range of viewpoints and areas of expertise,” Sussman said. “I look forward to finding answers to these difficult questions that are right for Duke.”

The committee will work throughout this academic year, engaging with a broad range of individuals and groups in the Duke community, and expects to submit a report to the Academic Council, which will be shared with the provost and the president in the spring of 2025.

Questions about the committee should be directed to its dedicated email address, academicfreedomcommittee@duke.edu.