Eric Kaufmann: Academic Freedom in an Age of Extremes
As we anticipate a waitlist for this event, please ensure you register using the form below if you plan to attend: https://forms.gle/7weSkgJ4CXcT3dpL6
With the UK’s Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act put on hold by the new government over the summer, and both pro-Palestine activists and ‘cancelled’ conservatives frequently claiming that their freedom has been infringed, academic freedom is making headlines.

Dr Eric Kaufmann, Director of Buckingham University’s Centre for Heterodox Social Science, has co-authored an influential report arguing that a “hostile climate” is chilling academic freedom in Britain.

His new (2024) book, ‘Taboo: How Making Race Sacred Produced A Cultural Revolution’, takes a critical look at so-called ‘woke’ culture, arguing that an emerging climate of “progressive extremism” is producing pervasive “concept creep” as liberal ideas of freedom and equality are reinterpreted to justify restricting negative liberties such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion.

Kaufmann’s controversial but nuanced analysis of academic freedom is grounded in decades spent studying cultural politics and a wealth of empirical data. Join us to challenge, and be challenged.

Details of the event venue will be provided on registration.
Date: 4 December 2024, 19:00 (Wednesday, 8th week, Michaelmas 2024)
Venue: Confirmed on registration
Speaker: Dr Eric Kaufmann (University of Buckingham)
Organiser: Jacob Williams (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address: jacob.williams@gtc.ox.ac.uk
Host: Jacob Williams (University of Oxford)
Booking required?: Required
Booking url: https://forms.gle/7weSkgJ4CXcT3dpL6
Cost: Free
Audience: Members of the University only
Editor: Jacob Williams