Safeguarding Academic Freedom Against Transnational Repression: How Educators and Institutions Could Ensure Safe Spaces for Debate and Dialogue in the Face of Censorship

Background: In contemporary higher education, transnational repression increasingly shapes dynamics in the classroom and beyond. Some students and staff may refrain from visible political expression due to concerns about personal or familial repercussions, while others may openly contest politically sensitive claims, generating moments of acute tension. These situations raise pressing questions: How can educators create conditions for rigorous political disagreement while remaining attentive to differential vulnerability? How might one address contested geopolitical issues? Is epistemic neutrality something to strive for, or is transparency about our own values, biases, and positionalities more appropriate for furthering pedagogical objectives? And what institutional responsibilities arise when the cost of speaking out is unevenly distributed? Aims: In this workshop, we will share the practical and existential struggles we encounter as educators in higher education contexts shaped by transnational surveillance and asymmetric power relations. We will also share lessons learnt from our lived experiences which we distill into a set of practice-informed principles. This workshop aims to collaboratively formulate recommendations for institutions, policymakers, and educators to ensure that academic freedom is protected within university settings. We invite participants to reflect with us on what strategies to employ by educators and HEIs to protect students and staff from transnational repression and defend academic freedom, to give us feedback on how we have dealt with these challenges, and to share their own experiences in a safe space. We will tackle these questions: Institutionally: How can universities support advocacy for academic freedom without fear; and without exposing individuals to undue risk? Pedagogically: How do we enable staff and students to be challenged on political grounds while ensuring open-minded, safe inquiry for everyone? Personally: How can we address the emotional labour experienced by educators; and ensure appropriate care and support for students navigating politically sensitive issues? Session Details: Duration: 90-minute to a 2-hour slot Format: Online and/or hybrid; both workshop facilitators will attend the conference virtually Creative Engagement: Participants will be invited to engage in creative reflection at the end using imageries or texts as prompts. Facilitators: Sing Hang Tam is a Lecturer at the University of the Arts London; his research and teaching focus on the aesthetic and cultural dimensions of social justice and identity. Mandy Lee is an Assistant Professor at Centre for Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin. Her research interests are in narrative medicine, trauma studies and research ethics.