Academic Freedom at UNC-Chapel Hill

I want to understand how the idea of "academic freedom" really works at UNC-Chapel Hill. Academic freedom is supposed to mean that educators and researchers can ask questions, share ideas, and do their work without unfair limits. The University upholds this idea through its statement on academic freedom, naming its support for the "free and open exchange of ideas," but recent events-like debates over hiring, changes to curriculum, and political pressure-raise questions about whether that promise is being upheld. My study looks at how the University's standards about academic freedom compare to what actually happens in practice. I will review archival decisions and public statements, as well as speak to former and current faculty about their experiences. In doing so, I hope to show how academic freedom is protected, where it is limited, and what that means for how ideas are shared and challenged on campus.