New Books in Political Science

Postscript: Collective Action to Support Students at American Colleges and Universities

Apr 2, 2025

In this insightful discussion, Alison Gash, a political science professor, and Daniel Laurison, a sociology expert, along with Nathan Lents, a biology professor, unite to advocate for higher education. They delve into the pressing issues facing students today, from threats to academic freedom to the chilling of free speech. Their coalition emphasizes the necessity of diversity, equity, and inclusion amidst rising anti-diversity trends. By fostering collaboration, they aim to bolster support systems and ensure that every student can thrive in a democratic educational environment.

47:40

Episode guests

Nathan Lents

Daniel Laurison

Alison Gash

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

A grassroots coalition of educators united to protect students from attacks on higher education, emphasizing the importance of academic freedom and democracy.

The ongoing withdrawal of federal research funding critically affects public health initiatives, showcasing the essential role of academia in societal well-being.

Deep dives

The Genesis of the Academics' Letter

A grassroots effort emerged among academics in response to increasing attacks on higher education, particularly targeting DEI initiatives and marginalized communities. The initiative began when one professor reached out via social media to discuss ways to protect students facing these challenges, leading to the formation of a collaborative group. This group quickly expanded, inviting a diverse range of voices from various academic disciplines to address the pressing issues faced by institutions. Ultimately, this collective effort resulted in a letter co-signed by over 3,000 academics advocating for the values of democracy, inclusion, and intellectual freedom.

Intro

2min

Advocating for Academic Freedom

10min

Uniting Academia Against Knowledge Undermining

6min

Navigating Challenges: The Impact on Students in Higher Education

2min

Empowering Academia: Resilience and Responsibility

17min

Education as Democracy's Foundation

8min

A coalition of educators and allies has come together to push back against a variety of different kinds of attacks on higher education and students at colleges and universities, particularly in the United States. This group is driven by the belief that a democracy is only as strong as its commitments to academic freedom, intellectual integrity, human diversity, and individual dignity. The impetus among this particular group of academics and staff members is to make sure that students at all the campuses, in all the programs at those campuses across the United States are supported and free to engage in their chosen courses of study. The various ways in which this mission is being attacked or undermined, with the slashing of grants, attempts to control curriculum, freezing of campus free speech, snatching of students off the streets, and threats to the bottom line all contribute to destabilizing the educational paths of students, and the ability of the faculty and the staff to provide students with the education, research opportunities, and higher education experiences they are seeking at these institutions.

I am joined on this installment of PostScript by three members of an organic group of educators—across disciplines—who came together in the early days of the new Trump Administration to try to figure out how to best support students at different institutions. One of the results of this collaboration among academics and educators across disciplines, institutions, and parts of the country, was to craft a letter directed at university administrators, governmental entities, and the public, explaining the value and import of education, especially in a democracy, and the need for a diversity of voices and contributors to that enterprise. I discuss the origin of the group, the genesis of the letter (which is available to sign here), and the deep concerns among those who work in higher education in the United States with Alison Gash, Daniel Laurison, and Nathan Lents.

Alison Gash is Professor of Political Science and Head of the Department of Political Science at the University of Oregon.

Daniel Laurison is Associate Professor of Sociology at Swarthmore College, the former Editor-in-Chief of the British Journal of Sociology, and a 2021-2023 Carnegie Fellow.

Nathan Lents is Professor of Biology at John Jay College,

Links:

We are Higher Ed Letter: Speaking Out for Democracy and US Higher Education

We are Higher Ed Website: https://www.wearehighered.org/

Lilly J. Goren is a professor of political science at Carroll University in Waukesha, WI. She is co-editor of The Politics of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (University Press of Kansas, 2022), as well as co-editor of the award winning book, Women and the White House: Gender, Popular Culture, and Presidential Politics (University Press of Kentucky, 2012), Email her comments at lgoren@carrollu.edu or tweet to @gorenlj.

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