Sage’s Statement on Academic Freedom
Sage believes free expression in all forms is a basic human right. Our primary responsibility, and most impactful contribution, is to publish and amplify the unique voices of scholars and educators, representing diverse populations and perspectives and developing new strands of inquiry for the widest possible audience. This position is rooted in the belief that scientifically rigorous scholarship can improve the world and that diversity fosters innovation, understanding, and respect.
Our most important publishing criteria are related to quality and rigor, which means we encourage vigorous discussion and debate, and that at times, we will publish even if the act of publishing draws criticism.
We uphold editorial independence as a key principle. With our support and partnership, editors and authors have authority over the content included in their works, with the expectation that it is rigorous scholarship and promotes fair, respectful, and equitable interaction among researchers, educators, and relevant local communities.
We give customers the flexibility to select the content that best meets the needs of their students, faculty, and other end-users. We will never censor our content.
We admire those who challenge our organization, hold us to our principles, and correct us for the mistakes we make along the way. We take their feedback seriously. If you have comments or ideas on our efforts to promote academic freedom, please send them to info@sagepub.com.
Banned Books and Academic Freedom Microsite
Book bans undermine the core principle of academic freedom, where scholars should explore diverse ideas without fear. This freedom nurtures critical thinking and innovation, integral to progressing society. Research is a cornerstone of this discourse and this collection of research highlights academic freedom, banned content, intellectual freedom, and more.
Banned Books Week Webinar 2023
As book bans continue to rise across the United States and challenges to academic freedom grow at an alarming rate, this webinar brings together researchers and scholars who will share their experiences and discuss the support that is needed in education across the country. This webinar will highlight the realities we face, but also plot a map to possible solutions.
Ongoing efforts
Index on Censorship
Index on Censorship is a nonprofit that campaigns for and defends free expression worldwide. They publish work by censored writers and artists, promote debate, and monitor threats to free speech. Sage proudly publishes Index on Censorship’s work.
Intellectual Freedom Award
The award acknowledges individuals or groups who have furthered the cause of intellectual freedom, particularly as it impacts libraries and information centers and the dissemination of ideas. Sage is the primary sponsor of this award.
Unite Against Book Bans
Unite Against Book Bans is a national initiative from the American Library Association to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship. As a sponsor, Sage has shared tools and resources to support academic freedom.
Webinars
ALA Annual Conference 2023
ALA 2023 conference attendees swarmed the Sage-sponsored Banned Books from the Big Chair read-out booth in support of the freedom to read. Seated upon a massively oversized chair, more than 200 participants and authors were videotaped as they read passages from their favorite banned books. Recordings will be available during Banned Books Week, October 1-7, on the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom Banned Books Week YouTube channel.
Filmmakers producing a documentary, “97,” that follows three young activists fighting the censorship of 97 books from their high school libraries also filmed from the read-out booth. The activists were filmed individually reading from the chair and gathered for group photos seated atop the chair. The film is expected to be launched in 2024.
Sage is the only publisher to partner with ALA for this booth, and we’ve done so for more than a decade. During this year’s ALA conference, attendees discussed the importance of the Banned Books Readout booth and their appreciation for it as book bans skyrocket across the US.
Conference attendees at the Big Chair Readout booth.
Young activists fighting the censorship of 97 books from their high school libraries also filmed from the read-out booth. They were filmed individually reading from the chair and gathered for a group photo too. The film is expected to be launched in 2024.
Sage is the only publisher to partner with the ALA for the Banned Books readout booth. Sage’s guaranteed independence means that we are free to focus on our mission and values for the long term, including supporting intellectual freedom.