Knowledge cannot be advanced unless faculty have freedom to teach, study, research, and communicate ideas and facts, including those that are inconvenient to authorities or political groups. Academic freedom is central to the educational and research missions of the Design Studies Institute. Academic freedom encompasses the right to share pertinent knowledge and expertise with the broader community through speech and writing, across all channels of communication. Faculty who choose to engage in public discourse have a responsibility to be precise and to exercise suitable caution, all while having regard for differing viewpoints.
Academic freedom guarantees a faculty member’s autonomy in choosing course content and materials, pedagogical methods, assignments, and evaluation criteria that are relevant to the subject matter. However, in cases where multiple faculty are teaching the same course, coordination may be necessary to ensure agreement on content and materials, syllabi, assignment, projects, and examinations, which may impose some limits. Academic freedom further encompasses the right to conduct research and formulate evidence-based conclusions. It safeguards researchers' ability to choose their methodologies, draw inferences, and assert the significance of their work. However, it does not provide immunity from criticism of their assertions.
