[csaa-forum] query: academic freedom?

[Kylie Brass]

Hi CSAA list, 

 

I've been following the developments in the Mees case with some interest, not least, the reverse-application of 'damage to reputation' charged of Melbourne Uni for its punitive actions in dealing with Dr Mees. In previous cases I've looked at it's the other way around, with outspoken academic commentators charged with bringing the university into disrepute (even when speaking from their research specialisation). I don't know enough about the particulars of the Mees case to comment, but I am wondering how robust Melbourne Uni's academic freedom and public comment policies are, certainly how they fare in a clash with ascendant risk management strategies. 

 

Professor David Rowe and I have recently completed a survey of public comment and media policies at Australian universities. Since 2002 a number of Australian universities have adopted increasingly prescriptive policies on academic public comment. A couple of clauses in our university's (UWS) media policy indicate the brand and risk management thinking at the core of these policy instruments:

 

(15) Whilst academic freedom is valued and should be protected, the definition of academic freedom does not expand to cover areas pertaining to the University which are not in the area of expertise of the individuals concerned, and where they may reasonably not have all of the facts at their disposal. This policy explicitly regards it as irresponsible for staff members, both general and academic, to engage with the media in any activity or comment which is designed to bring the University into disrepute, or which represents a personal viewpoint as a viewpoint held by the University. Breaches of this policy are deemed breaches of the Code of Conduct.

 

(17) From time to time experts within the University of Western Sydney may hold views which are within their expertise area, but which could be controversial, or may cause offence to some stakeholder groups. The University requires the staff member to seek permission of the University, through the Director Media and Communication, to use their University of Western Sydney designation if such views are to be expressed in the press. Failure to consult in these instances could result in the staff member not being covered in the event of any future actions.

 

[see http://policies.uws.edu.au/view.current.php?id=00109 <https://email.ad.uws.edu.au/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://policies.uws.edu.au/view.current.php?id=00109> ] 

 

 

Melbourne Uni doesn't have a media policy, though it may have internal guidelines on this sort of thing. I'd be interested in people's views about their institution's public comment and/or media policies, especially in light of Senator Carr's comments on academic freedom earlier this year:

Public debate must be as well informed as possible and those who have expertise in the areas under debate must be able to contribute. This means that researchers working in our universities and public research agencies must be -- and must be allowed to be -- active participants in such debates. 

[see http://minister.industry.gov.au/SenatortheHonKimCarr/Pages/LIBERATINGTHEVOICESOFSCIENCE.aspx <https://email.ad.uws.edu.au/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://minister.industry.gov.au/SenatortheHonKimCarr/Pages/LIBERATINGTHEVOICESOFSCIENCE.aspx>  ]

Kylie

Dr Kylie Brass

Research Officer

Centre for Cultural Research

Building EM, Parramatta campus

University of Western Sydney

Locked Bag 1797, PENRITH SOUTH DC NSW 1797 AUSTRALIA

ph: 9685 9668

fax: 9685 9610

email: k.brass at uws.edu.au <mailto:k.brass at uws.edu.au> 


________________________________

From: csaa-forum-bounces at lists.cdu.edu.au on behalf of Vincent O'Donnell
Sent: Thu 22/05/2008 11:05 AM
To: csaa-forum at lists.cdu.edu.au; Felicity Colman
Subject: Re: [csaa-forum] query: academic freedom?



Further to this discussion, especially for those outside Victoria...

The Age editorial this morning offers strong though qualified support
for Paul Mees, while one of Mees traditional opponents, Richard Allsop,
from the Institute of Public Affairs, defend Mees right to his opinion,
and warns: "Mees' new-found status as a martyr for free speech will no
doubt make it harder, in future, for his critics to show that his
arguments have little substance".

Underlying this and similar recent issues of 'academic freedom' is a
concept that somehow the opinion of a university academic is superior
to, say, a staff member of the Institute of Public Affairs.  Think tanks
like the IPA come with attitude, no one denies that.  If an academic
opinion is to carry more weight what are the factor and culture that
support the development of such opinions?

For me those factors, that culture include a collegial atmosphere where
ideas and opinions are tested and refined internally without pressure to
arrive at a group-think position; some security of tenure (not life
tenure) so that the mortgage-bound among us need not fear to hold an
unpopular stance; an administration that is not risk adverse seeking
only after a quiet life; time to contemplate issues, to do undirected
research....

Hmmmm.  Is this culture to be found in the modern university.  If not
then, perhaps, academic freedom is of no more value than common freedom
of speech, and academic opinion of no more value to society than that of
a thoughtful author of a letter to the editor.

Dr Vincent O'Donnell
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