Academic Freedom under Stress: Israel, Palestine, and the Canadian University

In the wake of the October 7 attack by Hamas and throughout the ongoing Israeli siege and bombardment of Gaza, threats to academic freedom have intensified across Canada. Spaces of public and academic debate have come under significant stress and are increasingly policed. At a moment when historical and contextualized analyses are needed the most, the university as a space for critical thinking and vigorous debate is increasingly constrained. This panel featured five speakers from across a variety of Canadian universities who addressed various challenges to academic freedom – both ongoing and emerging – in the context of Israel and Palestine.

Organizers

• Tamir Moustafa, Professor of International Studies, Simon Fraser University
• Nazanin Shahrokni, Associate Professor of International Studies, Simon Fraser University

Speakers

• Sharry Aiken, Associate Professor of Law and Cultural Studies, Queen’s University
• Muhannad Ayyash, Professor of Sociology, Mount Royal University
• Ariel Katz, Associate Professor of Law, University of Toronto
• Nisha Nath, Associate Professor in the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies, Athabasca University
• Jasmin Zine, Professor of Sociology, Wilfrid Laurier University