Heterodox Academy (HxA), the only nonpartisan membership organization devoted to open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement in higher education, announced the addition of seven new chapters joining its Campus Chapter Network, including Dartmouth, Vanderbilt University, Washington University in St. Louis, Emory University, The Ohio State University, the University of British Columbia (Vancouver), and Mississippi State University.

This sixth cohort joins the 82 Campus Chapters that have built the Network since its launch in January 2023. The Network now has chapters on 89 campuses across North America and the UK, collectively impacting over 2.83 million students.

"We are fortunate to work at an institution that is committed to many of HxA’s goals, but no institution is perfect and we hope our chapter will be a safe space for free speech, free thought, and following the truth no matter where it might lead,” said Brian Fitzpatrick, a law professor at Vanderbilt University and co-chair of the new chapter.

Each campus chapter is made up of faculty, staff, and students working from the inside to strengthen the culture of open inquiry at their institution. This work requires concrete action in which HxA campus chapters become a visible, trusted presence on campus. In practice, that looks like building strategic partnerships across campus, initiating or contributing to changes in campus policy, promoting HxA-aligned teaching strategies that faculty can adopt, and highlighting diverse perspectives in programming and events, modeling constructive disagreement for the rest of the university community.

"This cohort is joining the Network at a moment when this work matters more than ever. Open inquiry doesn't improve simply because someone outside the university insists on it,” said Bethany Boucher, Director of Member and Campus Engagement at Heterodox Academy “Open inquiry improves because the people inside institutions decide to lead this work collaboratively. We’re thrilled our members are leading this work through our new chapters.” . 

The HxA Campus Chapter Network accepts applications for new chapters in cohorts. See if HxA is already on your campus, or learn how to start a chapter, by visiting the website. Questions can be sent to campuschapters@heterodoxacademy.org.

*Note: HxA Campus Chapters are organized by HxA members at each institution; they are not necessarily officially endorsed or sanctioned by their institution.