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Georgetown lecturer suspended for tweet

Tom Todd/ / Americas, USA

On the evening of Jan. 26, Shapiro, recently hired as executive director of Georgetown Law’s Center for the Constitution, posted to Twitter that Sri Srinivasan, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, would be Biden’s “best pick” for the Supreme Court:

Objectively best pick for Biden is Sri Srinivasan, who is solid prog & v smart. Even has identity politics benefit of being first Asian (Indian) American. But alas doesn’t fit into latest intersectionality hierarchy so we’ll get a lesser black woman. Thank heaven for small favors?

Because Biden said he’s only consider black women for SCOTUS, his nominee will always have an asterisk attached. Fitting that the Court takes up affirmative action next term.

On Monday, Jan. 31, just as dozens of faculty from across the nation joined these warnings by signing an open letter authored by UCLA Law professor and First Amendment scholar Eugene Volokh, Georgetown announced that it had suspended Shapiro “pending an investigation.” 

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Hamburg University publishes code of scientific freedom

Tom Todd/ / Europe, Germany

Whether disrupting unpopular lectures or seminars, refusing to engage in scientific debate on the basis of political or religious attitudes, or exerting politically motivated pressure on scientists: recently, more and more cases have become known in which attempts have been made to curtail or dispute scientists’ constitutional right to academic freedom. For this reason, a code has now been drawn up at the University of Hamburg that defines the freedom of science and draws clear boundaries for infringements of this freedom. The university is hereby joining a chain of scientific organizations that have addressed the issue and is one of the first universities to anchor a code for the protection of scientific freedom in its mission statement.

The code is here (German)
The university press release is here (German)

Transgender disputes threaten to split university unions

Tom Todd/ / Europe, UK

Academic unions are facing deepening divides over transgender issues, just as they seek to unite members in fights for fairer pay and pensions.

In the UK, a new group of early career academics has claimed that the University and College Union has failed to stand up for scholars facing harassment and ostracism for their views on sex and gender, contributing to an intimidatory climate that is inhibiting freedom of expression.

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University of Washington issues language guidelines

Tom Todd/ / Americas, USA

“UW-IT has joined IT organizations at universities around the country that are involved in activities to replace racist, sexist, ageist, ableist, homophobic or otherwise non-inclusive language scattered throughout materials and resources in the software and information technology fields.

The resources provided in this document are mostly focused on language surrounding technology tools, resources and services, or language that is more likely to be used on web properties or documentation platforms.”

Example: a black list or the verb blacklist should no longer be used as they perpetuate “concepts that have been used to oppress people of color”.

The guide published here also contains an extensive list of similar literature from other colleges and institutions.

Australian scientists join outcry over humanities research veto

Tom Todd/ / Australia

Leading scholars from Australian universities have joined scientific bodies to demand reversal of pre-election veto of humanities grants.

Dozens of Australia’s leading scientists have added their voices to growing condemnation of a minister’s decision to veto grant funding for humanities projects, calling for an end to “political interference” in the peer review process.

Continue reading here and a follow-up article here

Academics at Durham Uni accused of mobilizing against college head

Tom Todd/ / Europe, UK

Top academics at Durham University are accused of whipping up mob of left-wing students attempting to oust head of college for defending Rod Liddle speech furore

  • Senior Durham University academics accused of whipping up Left-wing student mob
  • Left-wing students are trying to oust the head of a college amid a free-speech row
  • Professor Tim Luckhurst branded a walkout during a Rod Liddle speech by woke students ‘pathetic’
  • Rod Liddle gave a talk on December 3 covering trans issues, women’s rights and racism

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