Without academic freedom, there is no such thing as researching at university: no discovery, no debate, and no pushing the envelope of what’s possible. Universities have a special burden to uphold and protect the academic freedom of scholars, especially those who are involved in controversy.
I know this firsthand because of my experience as a scholar who is publicly critical of laws permitting abortion through all nine months of pregnancy in Australia. This has resulted in a sustained and concerted public campaign by pro-abortion activists and online trolls weaponising the complaints mechanism of my university against me.
Although I have now won my legal fight, I’m acutely aware of the tens of thousands of Australians who do not feel free to express themselves publicly or in their workplace for fear of repercussions.
The idea of a university is based on the fierce contestation of ideas.
The idea of a democracy is based on the fundamental equality of every human person and on our freedom to speak and live our lives.
All Australians deserve the freedom to pursue the truth without being subject to bullying, harassment or the threat of losing their job.