Academic Freedom and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion without Speech Codes: A Deweyan Perspective

Academic freedom is an area of interest for many academic faculty and students who are typically protected from persecution or retribution from what they say within the context of the university. There is significant history of this freedom, and this protection has been challenged and as colleges and universities have focused attention on diversity and inclusion efforts, some have considered if this hinders academic freedom. The growing criticism of what is referred to as speech codes (limits on free speech) has created discussion in the academic community as to what extent, if at all, these limits negatively impact the spirit of free speech. Several of John Dewey’s works provide guidance on this topic, and in this chapter, the authors examine its relevance to academic freedom.