Shira Hoffer, a Harvard senior and founder of the Institute for Multipartisan Education, discusses her mission to reduce societal hate through dialogue. She shares her inspiring journey in establishing the Hotline for Israel-Palestine to connect diverse perspectives amidst campus tensions. Shira emphasizes radical curiosity as a vital tool for overcoming polarization and advocates for student-led initiatives that encourage open-minded conversation. Her insights reveal the transformative potential of curiosity in education and conflict resolution.

Rebecca Roiphe, a Trustee Professor of Law at New York Law School and author of "The Devil's Advocate," explores the evolution of legal education over the past fifty years. She discusses how the Critical Legal Studies movement transformed law schools, shifting their focus from professional training to social justice. Roiphe highlights the implications of this shift for democracy, the manipulation of legal principles, and the need for inclusive dialogue in addressing legal disparities. Her insights illuminate the ongoing tension between ideals and realities in legal practice.

Can the ideological emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) slow down the progress of science? Our guest today is Anna Krylov, professor of chemistry at the University of Southern California and an advocate for maintaining meritocracy in scientific funding and evaluation. She joins John Tomasi to discuss critical tensions in today's scientific landscape. Krylov addresses the potential social costs of slower scientific progress due to ideological influences, particularly DEI, which she argues undermines public trust in scientific institutions. This episode delves into the fraught terrain of funding in academia and the impact of DEI mandates, examining how these changes may contribute to public mistrust and the erosion of merit-based systems. In This Episode:The effects of DEI mandates on scientific fundingThe importance of merit-based funding in academiaThe rise of "citation justice" and its impact on scholarly recognitionGender quotas and their potential implications for scientific standardsCritical social justice influences on scientific practices Censorship in the Sciences Conference: https://dornsife.usc.edu/cesr/censorship-in-the-sciences-interdisciplinary-perspectives/ About Anna:Anna Krylov is a Professor of Chemistry at USC and a leading figure in theoretical and computational quantum chemistry. Born in Ukraine, she earned her degrees from Moscow State University and the Hebrew University. Krylov's research focuses on methods for electronic excited species and has led to over 300 publications. She has received numerous awards, including the Dirac Medal, and is a Fellow of various scientific societies. An advocate for gender equality in STEM, she also promotes academic freedom and authored the impactful paper "The Peril of Politicizing Science." Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

How do schools navigate the complexities of inclusion, polarization, and freedom of expression while fostering a vibrant learning environment? Today, John Austin, Head of School at Deerfield Academy, joins Heterodox Out Loud to explore these questions and share insights from the groundbreaking report, Thriving in a World of Pluralistic Contention: A Framework for Schools.John reflects on his unique journey from aspiring surfer to educational leader, shaping student experiences across continents, including his tenure at King’s Academy in Jordan. Drawing from decades of experience, John delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by diversity in schools, discussing how institutions can promote dialogue, trust, and intellectual growth through structured initiatives like randomized community meals and robust expressive frameworks. John also sheds light on the collaborative process behind the report and its three foundational pillars: disciplined nonpartisanship, expressive freedom, and intellectual diversity.In This Episode:Independent schools as laboratories for educational innovationBalancing inclusivity with robust academic inquiryThe significance of Robert Putnam’s social capital theoryStrategies for fostering meaningful dialogue across differencesThe transformative potential of conscientious, courageous, and tolerant expressionAbout John:Dr. John Austin became Deerfield Academy’s 56th Head of School in July of 2019. Prior to Deerfield, Dr. Austin served as Headmaster at King’s Academy in Madaba, Jordan, and before that as Academic Dean at St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, Delaware, where he joined the faculty in 1987. A graduate of Williams College, he holds a Master of Arts, Master of Philosophy, and Doctoral degrees in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University, along with a Master’s degree from the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College. Last year, with funding from an E.E. Ford Foundation grant, Dr. Austin convened a group of renowned independent school leaders from across the United States to develop a framework for enhancing the expressive freedom of students, fostering in them habits of curiosity and critical analysis, and preparing them to thrive in a world of pluralistic contention. The resulting work, authored by Dr. Austin, Thriving in a World of Pluralistic Contention: A Framework for Schools, was published in May of 2024. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

Elisha Russ-Fishbane, an Associate Professor at NYU and an expert in Jewish-Muslim relations, shares his unique academic journey shaped by a passion for Greco-Roman literature and the aftermath of September 11. He explores historical Jewish-Muslim dialogues, particularly the significant contributions of Maimonides to interfaith understanding. Elisha discusses the challenges of academia, emphasizing the importance of intellectual humility and fostering genuine connections, while reflecting on the broader purpose of education beyond mere career outcomes.

Eboo Patel, Founder and President of Interfaith America, discusses the transformative power of pluralism in universities. He shares his journey from India and how his Muslim upbringing shaped his views on social justice. Patel critiques the shift in anti-racism strategies in academia and advocates for a balance between diverse perspectives. He proposes innovative ideas for creating 'Pluralist Universities,' emphasizing respectful dialogue and intellectual diversity, and uses jazz as a metaphor for collaboration in a democratic society.

Keith Whittington, David Boies Professor of Law at Yale and director of the Center for Academic Freedom, dives into the contentious intersection of politics and higher education. He discusses Florida's 'Stop Woke Act' and its implications for academic freedom and the First Amendment. Whittington shares insights from the Academic Freedom Alliance on defending speech rights, while exploring historical legislative interventions that echo today's challenges. The conversation highlights the necessity for open discourse and the complexity of navigating censorship and government control in academia.

Musa al-Gharbi, an assistant professor at Stony Brook University and author of "We Have Never Been Woke," delves into the concept of "symbolic capitalists" and their role in perpetuating social inequalities. He critiques the moral positioning of intellectual elites who advocate for justice while reinforcing systemic problems. The discussion spans the complexities of social capitalism, performative activism, and how societal shifts since 2010 have influenced perceptions of race and inequality, revealing the intricate ties between identity and advocacy.

In this discussion, Anthony Leaker, a senior lecturer in culture and critical theory at the University of Brighton, unpacks the complexities of free speech. He argues that free speech can be manipulated by those in power, often legitimizing harmful ideologies like racism and sexism. The conversation challenges traditional liberal ideals, exploring how social media and campus dynamics perpetuate inequalities. Leaker asserts the need for a nuanced understanding of free speech, emphasizing its implications on social justice and the importance of diverse perspectives in academia.

Amna Khalid, an esteemed Associate Professor of History at Carleton College and a prominent voice within the Heterodox Academy, discusses the shifting role of universities. She tackles the dual mission of higher education: truth-seeking versus citizenship training. Khalid raises concerns about self-censorship among students and critiques the current DEI initiatives that prioritize comfort over academic rigor. The conversation explores the impact of neoliberalism on campus culture and advocates for a balanced approach to academic freedom and diverse perspectives.