Free Speech, Truth and Civility
Across our campuses, the UNH community is invited to engage in ongoing conversations, lectures and other programs that promote free speech, truth and civility, and which carry forward the theme of the Academic Convocation on Feb. 19, 2021.
The UNH Faculty Senate and President James W. Dean Jr. co-hosted this year’s Academic Convocation, featuring three faculty speakers: John Greabe, professor at the Franklin Pierce School of Law, on “Free Speech at Public Universities;” Jan Golinski, professor of history, College of Liberal Arts, on “Post-Truth and Anti-Science;” and Renee Heath, principal lecturer of communications, College of Liberal Arts, on“Higher Education in a Democracy and the Praxis of Civil Discourse.”
President Dean and Provost Jones have also shared their support for the free speech principles for higher education, from the University of Chicago.
Although the subject is broad and complex, there are a few principles that will help answer many questions around free speech, political activity and public advocacy for facutly and staff, as well as protocols for scheduled public talks.
political activity and advocacy
protocols for scheduled public talks
Throughout the year, the Beauregard Centers offers programs to the UNH community that promote a more inclusive, equitable and socially just campus through education, advising, advocacy and community building.
The Civil Discourse Lab helps students and community members strengthen their ability to conduct meaningful, collaborative conversations around sometimes difficult but important topics to a civil society through research, experiential learning and praxis. Lectures and trainings promote skills in facilitating respectful conversations and shared decision-making.
NH Listens is a civic engagement group based at the Carsey School of Public Policy. The group runs public engagement sessions, partnering with organizations, community leaders and public officials from diverse fields and industries. NH Listens runs regular training programs through the year for facilitators and for its Campus Listeners on-campus program.
campus/community listeners trainings
Individuals experience situations differently because their social identities and experiences. Intersectionality can help us better understand ourselves and others, cultivate compassion and trust, and build relationships across differences.
This faculty seminar will complement our broader campus conversation around identity, representation, and free speech with an eye to advancing anti-racism and preserving hard-won freedoms. Journalist P.E. Moskowitz, author of "The Case AGainst Free Speech," argues that, given the barriers to equal expression in an unequal world, the notion of “free speech” has been effectively evacuated.
Join an expert panel brought together for this conversation sponsored by the Department of Political Science and COLA.
The 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits. UNH students, staff and faculty together have been building skill and will to address racial inequities, using the Challenge as a tool.
Featuring Black women feminist scientists and UNH faculty members talking about their forthcoming books and their careers.
Join the College of Liberal Arts for the Lindberg Lecture, delivered by Lawrence Prelli, professor of communication and the winner of the 2020 Lindberg Award, given annually to an outstanding teacher and scholar in the college.
This workshop for faculty and teaching graduate students unpacks the root of triggers in the classroom and provides the tools needed to ensure that those most impacted are not further harmed in addressing these situations.
Join the College of Liberal Arts for the Lindberg Lecture, delivered by Lawrence Prelli, professor of communication and the winner of the 2020 Lindberg Award, given annually to an outstanding teacher and scholar in the college.
The Museum of Art and the Civil Discourse Lab present Community Conversations, a virtual discussion of social justice themes using the museum's exhibit, "Nobody/Somebody."