Navigating Campus Freedom of Expression
in Polarized and Turbulent Times
January 6, 2026 Haim Striks Law School, Rishon Le Zion, Israel
International Conference on Academic Freedom, Expression Rights, and Institutional Responsibilities
Recent events have dramatically highlighted the complex challenges academic institutions face in balancing fundamental freedoms with community welfare and institutional integrity. The tumultuous aftermath of October 7, 2023, has transformed campuses worldwide into crucibles where principles of free expression collide with concerns for student safety, institutional stability, and the preservation of learning environments which foster open inquiry and debate.
This international conference aims to examine the multifaceted challenges of protecting and regulating speech in academic settings, with particular attention to the distinct yet interconnected experiences of institutions around the world. It hopes to foster constructive dialogue about these pressing challenges while advancing our understanding of how academic institutions can uphold both free expression and inclusive community values in increasingly complex times. We seek contributions that analyze the theoretical foundations, practical implications, and potential solutions for managing these competing interests.
There is no attendance fee, but registration IS required. Please register by filling out the form at the Registration page.
Call for Papers
- We seek contributions that analyze the theoretical foundations, practical implications, and potential solutions for managing the relevant competing interests, from any relevant discipline. Some potential topics for papers are (among many others):
- Vulnerable Campus Communities in Polarized Times (including response to Antisemitism and Islamophobia)
- Political, Social and other pressures on universities
- The campus as a community of opposing speakers
- War, Free Speech and Academic Freedom
- Legal and ethical frameworks governing campus speech in different jurisdictions
- Bottom-up pressures on Freedom of Expression: self-censorship due to student actions
- Campus Policing and Freedom of Expression: Engagement with Disruptions and Protests
- Faculty and student off-campus expression: institutional oversight and social repercussions
- And much more!
Abstract Submissions
- Length: Maximum 400 words
- Format: Word or PDF file
- Email to: foeconference@colman.ac.il
- Include: Title, author(s’) name(s), institutional affiliation(s), and contact information
Timeline
- Abstract Submission Deadline: November 7, 2025
- Notification of Acceptance: November 21, 2025
- Full Paper Submission (for accepted abstracts): December 15, 2025
- Conference: January 6, 2026
Keynote Speaker:
Nadine Strossen (NYLS John Marshall Harlan II Professor)
Renowned free speech scholarÂ
Former President of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Advisory Board Member at Heterodox Academy
Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)