Academic Freedom continues to be a hot topic in Canadian post-secondary, especially now with the sector experiencing crisis after crisis, leading to inevitable restructuring and redesign. In order to maximize academic freedom protections at universities, especially now, it is important to enable university employees to engage in dialogue and discussion related to this topic. I am committed to supporting our colleagues and our institution to develop a deeper understanding of what academic freedom is, and what it means to us.
To that end, I have invited Dr. Shannon Dea to VIU to help host a day of discussion and engagement around academic freedom. And she has agreed to come! Dr. Dea is the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and a Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Classics at the University of Regina. She is an established expert on academic freedom, and has written a column in University Affairs called Dispatches on Academic Freedom. You can read her work here.
The Academic Freedom Symposium, hosted for all employees at Vancouver Island University, will include a plenary address, a panel, and a workshop on May 12, 2025. Refreshments and lunch will be served.
This is a great opportunity to interact with Dr. Shannon Dea, VIU colleagues, and academic freedom. There is no prerequisite for attending--just a desire to listen, think, and if like, speak up. By delving into academic freedom, we can uncover more closely what it means to each of us, and what it means to our institution.
For more information, please contact kathleen.bortolin@viu.ca. I can send you a save-the-date invite for your calendar.
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