Why is academic freedom so important?

A new blog series sharing insights from academic librarians  

In this series, academic librarians share personal insights into the challenges and opportunities their profession faces with book bans and academic censorship on the rise by responding to one of these prompts: 

  1. What are your concerns related to books bans and censorship in higher education and for librarianship? Why is academic freedom so important? What do you want your colleagues in higher ed to know and what can they do to help?

  2. How do you think book bans and other forms of censorship in higher education and book will impact the future of research, scholarship, and learning? How will it impact librarians more specifically? What do you want your colleagues in higher ed to know and what can they do to help?

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 in white text with closeup of book pages in the background.

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.

Sage and the Office of Intellectual Freedom have long collaborated to bring awareness to Banned Books Week, and to support the freedom to read. The American Library Association (ALA) is a leading source of information and support for the library and librarian community. Watch "From the big chair at ALA 2024 Conference."

As book bans and academic censorship escalate across the United States, this panel gathered experts to discuss the impact these bans have on current and future generations of learners. Panelists addressed the necessary support that teachers, librarians, and other educators need in these uncertain times.

Ongoing efforts

Index on Censorship logo. White text on black background

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 logo in white text on black background. A dark orange book opening to the left.

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

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 highlights the realities we face, but also plot a map to possible solutions.   

Five researchers who contributed to a special issue of Qualitative Inquiry, "Higher Education in the Time of Trump and Beyond: Resistance and Critique," discuss academic and intellectual freedom, constraints, and recommendations for researchers.

In this roundtable discussion, Marc Spooner (Canada), Nicole Brown and Áine McAllister (UK), Natalia Reinoso Chavez (Colombia) and Consuelo Chapela (Mexico) discuss constraints on academic freedom and recommendations for researchers. Janet Salmons, Research Community Manager for Sage Methodspace, moderates the discussion.

 

ALA Annual Conference 2024

ALA 2024 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.

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.

Sonja Cherry-Paul reads from Stamped (For Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You.

Librarian Christina Vortia reads from The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

Author Lee Wind discusses some of his books from the "Big Chair."

Miss Black America Gabrielle Wilson reading from the “Big Chair.”

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.