WUFA Statement on Academic Freedom in times of war and conflict

November 8, 2023

WUFA Statement Re: Members’ rights to academic freedom and engagement on critical scholarship especially in times of war and conflict

(The following statement was approved by WUFA Executive and in consultation with the SWDEAC and RJC)

The Windsor University Faculty Association (WUFA) unequivocally supports the academic freedom of its members. This freedom includes the right to pursue research and open inquiry in an honest search for knowledge that is free from institutional censorship, including that of the government.

WUFA acknowledges that the freedom from political and institutional censure is especially critical at times of war and conflict where scholarly voices are an important corrective to widespread disinformation campaigns.

WUFA supports the anti-racist and decolonial initiatives in Canadian educational institutions and opposes anti-Palestinian racism, antisemitism (whether it is anti-Jewish or anti-Arab) and Islamophobia, and all forms of colonial oppression against Indigenous people, along with all forms of racism and hatred. We will strive to ensure our members are free from experiencing bigotry and hate in our classrooms and campuses.

WUFA is committed to protecting the security and safety of all scholars who are targeted because of their scholarship and political work. We call upon our institution to implement measures to safeguard our members.

WUFA acknowledges that targeted attacks against scholars who support the Palestinian struggle have a chilling effect on the academic freedom of our members in the classroom, in their research, and in campus politics more broadly. These repressive tactics must be challenged, and scholars must be free from all forms of recrimination and harassment that may occur due to the nature of their research.