Survey Suggests Academic Freedom is Under Serious Threat at Canadian Universities
“Over 30 percent of professors are prepared to limit academic freedom and “cancel” their colleagues out of a commitment to their political views on social justice.”
One of the most disturbing findings of the study is how commitment to social justice aligns with a commitment to cancel culture.
The Macdonald-Laurier Institute reports:
Survey finds academic freedom is under threat at Canadian universities
Academic freedom is at the core of the pursuit of higher learning. But in our modern social and political climate, have Canadian universities created a culture hostile to intellectual diversity? Are such concerns to be taken seriously, or is this merely an overblown talking point?
In a new, first-of-its-kind study for MLI, titled The viewpoint diversity crisis at Canadian universities: Political homogeneity, self-censorship, and threats to academic freedom, Professors Christopher Dummitt and Zachary Patterson corroborate the findings of studies performed in the US, UK, and elsewhere: there is crisis in higher education in Canada.
The study, based on a survey of professors and members of the public, reveals that Canadian universities are political monoliths whose lack of viewpoint diversity contributes to serious problems on campus. Professors, especially the 9 percent of conservative professors whose views differ from the overwhelmingly dominant left-leaning views held by 88 percent of professors, are increasingly self-censoring for fear of reprisal.
Some of the key findings include:
– Forty-four percent of right-leaning professors are worried about facing negative consequences if colleagues, students, or others on campus learned of their political opinions.
– Forty percent of right-leaning professors feel like they face a hostile work environment.
– Fear of negative consequences has led to self-censorship being exercised by 57 percent of right-leaning professors and 34 percent of left-leaning professors.
– Over 30 percent of professors are prepared to limit academic freedom and “cancel” their colleagues out of a commitment to their political views on social justice.
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Comments
Frankly, when I read the number 30%, my first reaction was to ask what that number was here in the US, because I can’t believe it’s not higher here.
It is higher. 30% is simply the number that were willing to admit it.
Just ask Dr. Jordan Peterson, who stepped down from his position at the University of Toronto due to its abusive DIE rules.
He states in the National Post:
Diversity, Inclusivity and Equity mandates” or “D-I-E” are ruining the school’s commitment to promoting an environment that prioritizes learning, discussion, and true ideological diversity.
“We are now at the point where race, ethnicity, ‘gender,’ or sexual preference is first, accepted as the fundamental characteristic defining each person (just as the radical leftists were hoping) and second, is now treated as the most important qualification for study, research and employment,” Peterson said. “Need I point out that this is insane?”