Books
Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and the Threat to Academic Freedom
£14.95
There can be no doubt that discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity, religion or beliefs should not be tolerated in academia. Surprisingly, however, in recent years, policies of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (DIE), officially introduced to counteract discrimination, have increasingly led to quite the opposite result: the exclusion of individuals who do not share a radical ‘woke’ ideology on identity politics (feminism, other gender activisms, critical race theory, etc.), and to the suppression of the academic freedom to discuss such dogmas. This subversion of academia — disguised Trojan-horse style as universal human rights advocacy — is unacceptable because academia must be politically neutral and protect freedom of speech, a cornerstone of professional scholarly activity without which universities as we know them will slowly but surely suffocate.
The purpose of this book is to put together some particularly illustrative cases of such repression in a single volume, testifying to a ubiquitous trend within western culture, irreducible to a few isolated complaints. The essays contained here illustrate the abuse of power, censorship and witch-hunts at many universities and research centres in the name of DIE.
Read the editors’ Preface here.
240 pp.
Paperback
£14.95
There can be no doubt that discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity, religion or beliefs should not be tolerated in academia. Surprisingly, however, in recent years, policies of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (DIE), officially introduced to counteract discrimination, have increasingly led to quite the opposite result: the exclusion of individuals who do not share a radical ‘woke’ ideology on identity politics (feminism, other gender activisms, critical race theory, etc.), and to the suppression of the academic freedom to discuss such dogmas. This subversion of academia — disguised Trojan-horse style as universal human rights advocacy — is unacceptable because academia must be politically neutral and protect freedom of speech, a cornerstone of professional scholarly activity without which universities as we know them will slowly but surely suffocate.
The purpose of this book is to put together some particularly illustrative cases of such repression in a single volume, testifying to a ubiquitous trend within western culture, irreducible to a few isolated complaints. The essays contained here illustrate the abuse of power, censorship and witch-hunts at many universities and research centres in the name of DIE.
240 pp.
Paperback
£14.95
Professor Dennis Hayes, Director, Academics For Academic Freedom (UK) –
“Academic freedom is under threat from new directions. No longer is it merely under threat from ‘no platforming’. Across the world the fear of speaking out has led to academics self-censoring and avoiding controversy. It is impossible to know in advance what anyone will now be condemned for thinking or saying. This book provides a guide to many of the ways that academic freedom is under threat today. It is a must-read for anyone interested in its defence.”
Toby Young, Founder and Director Free Speech Union –
“The contributors to this book — spanning five continents — offer a stark insight into the dangers of equality, diversity and inclusion policies to free speech on campus and in the research environment. Hyper-wokism poses a serious threat to academic freedom and this volume marks the start of a fight back against those seeking to de-platform, harass, and censor academics who dare to tackle ‘forbidden’ topics.”
Wayne Cristaudo, The European Legacy –
“It is also a book that illustrates how far the distance is between social justice, as construed through the various critical social theories that operate around the dyad of oppressor and oppressed, and the importance of free speech. The fact that there is a tension between pursuing a society based upon open dialogue and freedom of speech and conformity to principles of DIE is indicative of the fact that many see the application of the principles of DIE, and perhaps even the principles themselves as carrying problems within them that outweigh their benefits. For, if the principles of DIE were so manifestly good and true why would they need to be defended through censorship?”