Academic Freedom and Viewpoint Diversity

When presidents and chancellors embrace the value of viewpoint diversity, provosts and deans have much to figure out. What is viewpoint diversity, in practical terms? How does it relate to a university's other commitments, especially to academic freedom? And how can viewpoint diversity be addressed within the specific structures and cultures of a complex institution? 

Heterodox Academy wants to help you answer these questions, and get to know other leaders who are doing the same. This summit will provide concrete guidance on how to improve viewpoint diversity on campus while respecting the academic freedom of faculty as content experts.

Objectives:

By participating in this summit, academic leaders will leave with three key takeaways:

1. Clarity: A precise conceptual framework for both viewpoint diversity and academic freedom and a diagnosis of the main viewpoint diversity issues across syllabi, curriculum, hiring, and faculty culture.
2. Confidence: Practical tools and peer-recommended approaches that empower movement from awareness to action on your own campus in ways that are both liberal and effective.
3. Community: A lasting connection to a group of like-minded academic leaders across institutions that share a commitment to viewpoint diversity and academic freedom.

Logistics: 

• Location, Lodging, and Meals: The summit will take place at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort located at 1200 N Ocean Blvd., Pompano Beach, Florida. For your convenience, we will provide hotel accommodations at this venue for the nights of Wednesday and Thursday, February 24 and 25, 2027.
• Cost: Academic leaders are invited to attend this summit at no cost. Heterodox Academy will cover the full cost of meals during the summit, travel through HxA’s booking platform, Perk, and hotel accommodations.
• Agenda: The event will feature a welcome address on academic freedom and viewpoint diversity on the evening of February 24. The next day will feature four summit sessions on different tactics to improve viewpoint diversity on campus and will conclude by late afternoon. A full agenda will be shared the week before the event.