Become an
HxA Member
Become a member of Heterodox Academy and join the thousands of faculty, staff, and students bringing open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement to higher education.
Becoming an HxA member unlocks opportunities to help you become a champion of open inquiry on your campus.
Our members represent the full political spectrum, more than 1,800 institutions world-wide, and nearly every academic discipline.
"Heterodox Academy was a source of hope."
HxA member Alexandra Lysova was forced to leave Russia after Vladimir Putin came to power due to threats and limitations on her freedom. This experience has made her sensitive to limitations on academic freedom and freedom of expression in countries such as Canada and the US. Lysova received the 2023 HxA Open Inquiry Award for Leadership for her persistent efforts to protect academic freedom at Simon Fraser University and beyond.
I believe that educators have an obligation to provide an environment for students to look at all sides of issues. I don not think that is taking place enough in today's academic environment. I want to be part of the solution.
At this historical moment marked by a rise in various forms of anti-intellectualism, one welcomes and values a countervailing force such as Heterodox Academy, which provides a robust forum for expressions of anti-anti-intellectualism.
Heterodox Academy is the one place where I can play the token social justice feminist sex radical and still be in great company.
Engagement with people who are broadly diverse, in terms of experience and ideas, is essential for promoting understanding in both senses of that word: knowledge and empathy.
Teaching and Scholarship are Better When We Don’t All Think the Same
When people with a wide range of worldviews, backgrounds, and experiences are present and welcomed, academic communities can more effectively notice untested assumptions, imagine and explore new questions and answers, rigorously challenge popular theories, and make continued progress toward truth.
We do not screen members based on research field, ideology, or political or social affiliations. HxA membership is based on only the following criteria.
To become a member, you must:
- Be employed full-time or part-time at an institution of higher education OR be enrolled in graduate studies at an institution* OR be employed by an organization** that directly works with or for institutions of higher education.
- Affirm the statement, “I support open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement in research and education.”
- Agree to be listed in our online member directory (students are not listed.)
- Model the HxA Way when participating in our events and publishing on our platforms.
*We are not accepting new applications from undergraduate students at this time.
**Organizations that work directly with institutions of higher education include: nonprofit educational organizations; higher education consultancies; academic research institutes; academic think tanks; accreditation agencies; museums; academic publishing houses; academic professional societies; and faculty or student advocacy organizations.
When you become a member, opportunities to become more engaged open up. Build a Campus Community, attend member-only workshops, or host events on your campus. Opportunities to champion our principles arise throughout the year.
Connect with other HxA members on your campus and elevate your university from within. Applications open through August 15.
Apply todaySave on the 2025 Conference in NYCHxA members receive $100 off registration for our annual conference where hundreds of heterodox thinkers convene.
Save the dateDevelop New SkillsWe host regular member-only workshops throughout the academic year - along with many other events!
Attend an eventOur members embody a set of norms and values that are core to our vision of the academy.
Your donation propels our mission. Support the thousands of faculty, staff, and students advocating for policy and culture changes that allow universities to be truth-seeking, knowledge-generating institutions grounded in open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement.