Summit on Academic Freedom and Academic Autonomy

Please note keynote address and reception on Tuesday 4 December 5pm will be held in the Auditorium and Lotus Hall in China in the World Building, 188 Fellows Lane, ANU.

Freedom of speech has become a topic of significant interest in sections of the community. It has increasingly been examined by media outlets as an issue of interest and concern, particularly as it relates to universities. The surrounding public debate has lacked nuance, and conflates freedom of speech with academic freedom while excluding discussion of academic autonomy and integrity.

In this important summit, key themes will be explored including:

• The relationship between Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech

• How should universities protect academic autonomy?

• Who decides what research is conducted?

• Perspectives from outside the academy

• What threatens academic freedom?

• The future of research and a commitment to academic freedom

Speakers to include:

• Professor the Hon Gareth Evans AC QC, Chancellor, ANU

• Mr Gary Humphries, former ACT Senator

• Professor Adrienne Stone, Director, Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies, University of Melbourne

• Professor Amin Saikal, Director, Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, ANU

• Emeritus Professor John Fitzgerald, Centre for Social Impact, Swinburne University of Technology

• Professor Dianne Nicol, University of Tasmania

• Ms Helen Trinca, The Australian

DETAILS

5pm, Tuesday 4 December
Keynote address delivered by Professor Glynn Davis AC, followed by a reception
Australian Centre on China in the World, 188 Fellows Lane, ANU

8.30am - 4.30pm, Wednesday 5 December
University, 1 Balmain Crescent, ANU