BY JOHN K. WILSON
This week is the 2021 AAUP Shared Governance Conference, online June 14-18, 2021, with events at 1pm and 3pm ET. Registration for the events is free, but only open to members of the AAUP. If you’re not a member of the AAUP, these are good reasons to join now.
The AAUP’s Summer Institute is also free to AAUP members, and will be held Tuesdays in July, 1-3pm ET (and 4-5pm ET discussions) on July 6, 13, 20, and 27, featuring the shared governance investigation, New Deal for Higher Ed, advocacy organizing, and the campus policing report. Additional small workshops will be held on Thursdays in July at 1-3pm ET. Even if you can only attend one of the sessions, I encourage all AAUP members to take advantage of this opportunity to be part of the Summer Institute.
The Scholars at Risk Courage to Think Award recognizes individuals, groups, or institutions that have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to protecting scholars and promoting academic freedom, whether through their professional work, private or community service, or by facing personal risk. Nominate by July 31.
2021-22 Mellon/SAR Academic Freedom Workshop & Fellowships: Scholars at Risk (SAR) announces a call for applications for remote research fellowships for early career researchers studying, writing and/or teaching on academic freedom and/or related higher education values. Sponsored by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, fellows receive a, $8,000 stipend for their work, meet online for monthly workshops, and do a presentation on their research. Deadline is August 15.
Summer free expression events for students:
PEN America is inviting high school and college students to apply to its Free Speech Advocacy Institute. The institute is an intensive, online, two-week educational and training program where students can learn the theories, laws, histories, and methodologies behind free expression and human rights advocacy. Students who complete the program will earn a professional certificate in free speech advocacy, and are invited to apply from anywhere in the U.S. The program will be held Monday through Friday, July 12-23 (3-6pm ET). Tuition is $1,000 per student, and there is financial aid available. Ability to pay should not be a barrier to applying. Learn more and apply here. Questions can be sent to campusfreespeech@pen.org. Apply by June 25.
The Student Press Law Center’s New Voices Student Leaders Institute is a free training program for high school students July 19-22, 1-5pm ET online, to organize and advocate for state student press freedom laws. Apply by June 25.
FIRE’s student network summer conference will be July 16-18, 2021. This free event for college students will be held in person in Philadelphia, and FIRE provides $500 for travel/lodging. Apply by July 2.
FIRE’s Faculty Conference will be held Oct. 14-16, 2021 in Chicago, in-person and online, and applications are now available for attendees (free, and FIRE provides up to $750 for travel/lodging).
And here are some additional online events coming up:
June 17, 2pm ET, National Association of Scholars webinar, “Fighting for Academic Freedom in America, Canada, and Britain.”
June 18, 11am-1pm ET, “Workshop: Career Options Beyond Academia” co-hosted by Scholars at Risk, Global Young Academy and IIE-Scholar Rescue Fund.
June 19, 7pm ET, Los Angeles Juneteenth Heritage Festival digital session, “Academic Freedom.”
June 22, 1pm ET, University of California National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement webinar, “Finding Common Ground: Students, Law Enforcement and Free Speech Policies.”
