AGM Archive

Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship

2022 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

Homewood Suites
40 Bay Street South
Hamilton, ON

Friday 13 May 2022

Proceedings

2:00 – 4:00 Bruce Pardy (Queen’s University) “Discussion: COVID and the End of the Rational University”
4:00-5:00 Cocktails
5:00-6:30 Dinner
6:30-8:00 The Fourth Annual Chris and John Furedy Lecture on the Contemporary University

Speaker: Steven Pinker, Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology, (Harvard University)

Title: Rationality: What It is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters.”

Saturday 14 May 2022

Proceedings

9:00 – 10:00 Registration and Mark Mercer, President, Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship: Welcome and News from SAFS
10:00 – 11:00 “Government Interference with Academic Freedom: German Democratic Republic vs. Canada,” Christina Behme (Philosophy, Kwantlen Polytechnic University)
11:00 – 12:00 “The Evolution of the Safe Environment Argument,” Paul Vimnitz (Philosophy, University of Lethbridge)
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch Break
1:30 – 3:00 Keynote Address

Speaker: John McWhorter (Linguistics, Columbia University)

Title: Not for Us to Say: Working Through (and Past) the Conflation of Radicalism with Inquiry”

3:10 – 3:45 Business Meeting

2021 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

Conference held on-line via Zoom

Friday 28 May 2021

The 3rd Annual Chris and John Furedy Lecture on the Contemporary University

Speaker: Tomáš Hudlický (Professor, Chemistry, Brock University)

Saturday 29 May 2021

Proceedings

11:20 – 11:30 Mark Mercer, President, Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship: Welcome and news from SAFS
11:30 – 12:30 “The State of Ontario Universities in Light of Chicago Principles Legislation,” William McNally (Professor, Finance, Wilfrid Laurier University) & David M. Haskell (Associate Professor, Digital Media & Journalism and Religion & Culture, Wilfrid Laurier University)
12:30 – 1:30 “Ideacide: With Reference to the Gilley and Tuvel cases,” Rhoda E. Howard-Hassmann (Professor Emeritus, Political Science, Wilfrid Laurier University) & Neil McLaughlin (Professor, Sociology, McMaster University)
1:30 – 2:30 Lunch Break
2:30 – 4:00 Keynote Address

Speaker: Tomáš Hudlický (Professor, Chemistry, Brock University)

The organizers will send out a Zoom pass number a few days before the meeting. All you need to participate is a computer with a camera and a mic.

2020 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

Conference held on-line via Zoom

Friday 5 June 2020

The 2nd Annual Chris and John Furedy Lecture on the Contemporary University

Speaker: Samir Gandesha (Humanities, Simon Fraser University)

Title: The Contemporary University in Global Perspective

Saturday 6 May 2020

Proceedings

11:20 – 11:30 Mark Mercer, President, Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship: Welcome and news from SAFS
11:30 – 12:30 Joanne Boucher (Political Science, University of Winnipeg), “Thomas Hobbes against Identity Politics”
12:30 – 1:30 “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (and Accessibility) as Oath and Mantra,” a conversation featuring Stephen Perrott (Psychology, Mount Saint Vincent University) and Frances Widdowson (Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies, Mount Royal University)
1:30 – 2:30 Lunch Break
2:30 – 4:00 Keynote Address: “Is Academic Freedom Under Attach in the Canadian University?”

Speaker: Samir Gandesha (Humanities, Simon Fraser University)

The organizers will send out a Zoom pass number a few days before the meeting. All you need to participate is a computer with a camera and a mic.

2019 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

Western University

Sommerville House, Room 3317

Friday 3 May 2019

The 1st Annual Chris and John Furedy Lecture on the Contemporary University

Speaker: Rachel Fulton Brown, History, University of Chicago

Title: Safe Spaces versus Sacred Spaces

Saturday 4 May 2019

Proceedings

9:50 – 10:00 Mark Mercer, President, Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship: Welcome and news from SAFS
10:00 – 11:00 Bruce Pardy, Law, Queen’s University, “Right Idea, Wrong Approach: The Ontario free speech directive and the effect of speech laws on universities”
11:00 – 12:00 Rick Mehta, formerly Psychology, Acadia University, “Social Justice and Moral Panic: Modern Threats to Academic Freedom”
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch – Buffet (Green Leaf Café, Room 3340)
1:00 – 2:30 Keynote Address: “Is Academia Good for the Soul?

Speaker: Rachel Fulton Brown (History, University of Chicago)

2018 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

Western University

Sommerville House, Room 3317

Saturday 5 May 2018

Proceedings

9:50 – 10:00 Mark Mercer, President, Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship: Welcome and news from SAFS
10:00 – 11:00 Bruce Pardy, Law, Queen’s University, “Right Idea, Wrong Approach: The Ontario free speech directive and the effect of speech laws on universities”
11:00 – 12:00 Rick Mehta, formerly Psychology, Acadia University, “Social Justice and Moral Panic: Modern Threats to Academic Freedom”
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch – Buffet (Green Leaf Café, Room 3340)
1:00 – 2:30 Keynote Address: “Is Academia Good for the Soul?

Speaker: Rachel Fulton Brown (History, University of Chicago)

2017 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

Western University

Sommerville House, Room 3317

Saturday 13 May 2017

Proceedings

9:00-10:00 Registration and Conversation

10:00-11:00 “When Science is Political,” Jan Narveson, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of Waterloo
11:00-12:00 “Does Banning Hate Speech Eliminate Hatred: The Case of East Germany,” Christina Behme, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Brandon University
12:00-1:00 Buffet Lunch (in Somerville House – The Garden, Room 3320)
1:00-2:15 Keynote Address: “Why freedom of speech is not just another value,”

Speaker: Jordan Peterson, (Psychology, University of Toronto)

Professor Peterson’s book Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief appeared in 1999.

2016 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

Western University

Sommerville House, Room 3317

Saturday 14 May 2016

Proceedings

9:00-10:00 Registration and Conversation
10:00-10:45 Mark Mercer, SAFS President, “Academic Freedom 2015—2016”
10:45-12:00 Jeff Muehlbauer, Verbulous Inc, and Ken Westhues, University of Waterloo: “A Conversation on Native Studies and Academic Mobbing”
12:00-1:00 Buffet Lunch (in Somerville House – The Garden, Room 3320)
1:00-2:15 Keynote Address: Donald Alexander Downs, “Challenges to Academic Freedom: Anything New Under the Sun?”
Dr Downs is Alexander Meiklejohn Professor of Political Science, Law, and Journalism at the University of Wisconsin—Madison and the director and co-founder of the Wisconsin Center for the Study of Liberal Democracy (2007-present). He is the author of six books, including Restoring Free Speech and Liberty on Campus (Cambridge University Press/The Independent Institute, 2004) and More than Victims: Battered Women, the Syndrome Society, and the Law (University of Chicago Press, 1996).

2015 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

Western University

Saturday 9 May 2015

Proceedings

“Reflections on SAFS’s Pursuit of Defending Academic Freedom and Scholarship,” Clive Seligman (Psychology, Western University, and President, SAFS)
Dalhousie’s Facebook-Group Dental Students, a panel discussion featuring Ken Westhues (Sociology, University of Waterloo) and Mark Mercer (Philosophy, Saint Mary’s University)
“From Micro-Aggression to BDS: Can Humanities Education Be Saved from Social Justice?”, Janice Fiamengo (English, University of Ottawa)

2014 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

Western University

Saturday 10 May 2014

Proceedings

“On Investigating Allegations of Academic Freedom Violations,” Albert Katz (Psychology, Western University, and Canadian Association of University Teachers)
“Academic Accommodations? Who Decides,” J. Paul Grayson (Sociology, York University)
Keynote address: “Unlearning Liberty: Campus Censorship and the End of American Debate,” Greg Lukianoff (President, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education)

2013 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

Western University

Saturday 11 May 2013

Proceedings

“Update of Canadian cases of free speech and academic freedom,” Mark Mercer (Philosophy, Saint Mary’s University)
“Diversity, merit, and academic freedom: Deciphering the Orwellian doublespeak,” Frances Widdowson (Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies, Mount Royal University)
Keynote address: “What does Bowdoin teach? An examination of the current content of a liberal arts college,” Peter Wood (President, National Association of Scholars)

2012 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

University of Western Ontario

Saturday 12 May 2012

Proceedings

“President’s Introductory Remarks,” Clive Seligman (Western)
A Discussion of Academic Freedom, featuring Paul Gooch (President, Victoria College, University of Toronto) and Mark Mercer (Philosophy, Saint Mary’s University)
Keynote Address: “Is Academic Integrity adequately promoted by Academic Governance, Collective Bargaining, and Judicial Review?”, Gábor Lukács (formerly Mathematics, University of Manitoba)

2011 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

University of Western Ontario

Saturday 7 May 2011

Proceedings

“President’s Introductory Remarks,” Clive Seligman (Psychology, University of Western Ontario)
Symposium on Research Integrity in Canada, featuring Paul Paré (Sociology, University of Western Ontario), Clive Seligman (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), Paul Maxim (Sociology, Wilfrid Laurier University), Graham Smith (Geography, University of Western Ontario)
Keynote Address: “Freedom of Speech on Canadian Campuses,” John Carpay (Founder and President of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms)

2009 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

University of Western Ontario

Saturday 16 May 2009

Proceedings

“President’s Introductory Remarks,” Clive Seligman (Psychology, University of Western Ontario)
“The Regulating University: Student Codes of Speech and Behavior, Research Ethics, and Women’s Issues,” Stephen Lecce (President, University of Western Ontario Student Council), Stephen Lupker (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), and Jane Toswell (President, Western’s Caucus on Women’s Issues, University of Western Ontario)
Keynote Address: “Manipulating Debate: Anti-Israel Rhetoric and Political Activism on Universities Worldwide,” Barbara Kay (Columnist, National Post)

2008 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

University of Western Ontario

Saturday 10 May 2008

Proceedings

“President’s Introductory Remarks,” Clive Seligman (Psychology, University of Western Ontario)
“Collective Agreements: Protecting or Threatening Academic Freedom?”, a discussion featuring Albert Katz (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), Murray Miles (Philosophy, Brock University), and Phil Sullivan (Engineering, University of Toronto)
Keynote Address: “Ivory Tower Blues: A University System in Crisis,” Anton Allahar (Sociology, University of Western Ontario) and Jim Côté (Sociology, University of Western Ontario)

2007 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

University of Western Ontario

Saturday 12 May 2007

Proceedings

“President’s Introductory Remarks,” Clive Seligman (Psychology University of Western Ontario)
“The Politicization of University,” a discussion featuring Grant Brown (Lawyer, Edmonton), John Mueller (Psychology, University of Calgary), and Clive Seligman (Psychology, University of Western Ontario)
Keynote address: “Academic Freedom,” James Turk (Executive Director, Canadian Association of University Teachers)

2006 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

University of Western Ontario

Saturday 13 May 2006

Proceedings

“President’s Introductory Remarks,” Clive Seligman (Psychology, University of Western Ontario)
“It is essential to support free speech, BUT it must be exercised responsibly,” a panel discussion featuring Larry Cornies (Editor, London Free Press), Jan Narveson (Philosophy, University of Waterloo), and Charles Rackoff (Computer Science, University of Toronto)
Keynote address: “Has The Danish Cartoon Controversy Pushed The World To A Tipping Point In The Clash Or Crash Of Civilizations?”, Salim Mansur (Political Science, University of Western Ontario)

2005 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

University of Western Ontario

Saturday 14 May 2005

Proceedings

“President’s Introductory Remarks,” Clive Seligman (Psychology, University of Western Ontario)
Tribute to John and Chris Furedy, with Doreen Kimura (Psychology, Simon Fraser University), Clive Seligman (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), Phil Sullivan (Engineering, University of Toronto), and John Furedy (Psychology, University of Toronto)
“Controversy at Harvard: Academic Freedom and Sex Differences,” a panel discussion with Peter Cain (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), Elizabeth Hampson (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), Klaus-Peter Ossenkopp (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), Clive Seligman (Psychology, University of Western Ontario)
Keynote Address: “Reopening the Intellectual Marketplace in Academe,” Stephen Balch (President, National Association of Scholars)

2004 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

University of Western Ontario

Saturday 8 May 2004

Proceedings

“President’s Introductory Remarks,” Clive Seligman (Psychology, University of Western Ontario)
“Limits to Academic Freedom,” a panel discussion featuring Bill Fisher (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), Ken Hilborn (History, University of Western Ontario), and Phil Sullivan (Engineering, University of Toronto)
“Equality, Affirmative Action, and Faculty Hiring,” Jamie Cameron (Osgoode Hall, York University)

2003 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

University of Western Ontario

Sunday 4 May 2003

Proceedings

“President’s Introductory Remarks,” Clive Seligman (Psychology, University of Western Ontario)
“Research Ethics Boards: Protecting the Public or Limiting Academic Freedom,” a discussion between Ben Forster (History, University of Western Ontario) and John Mueller (Psychology, University of Calgary)
“Strategies and Tactics in the ‘Diversity/Equity’ Debates,” a discussion among Phil Sullivan (Engineering, University of Toronto), Martin Wall (Psychology, University of Toronto), and John Furedy (Psychology, University of Toronto)
“Defending Academic Freedom in the Politicized University,” Frederick H. Lowy, (Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Concordia University)

2002 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

University of Western Ontario

Saturday 4 May 2002

Proceedings

“President’s Introductory Remarks,” Clive Seligman (Psychology, University of Western Ontario)
Bela and Magda Furedy Academic Freedom Award Recipient 2002: Doreen Kimura (Psychology, Simon Fraser University, and founding president of SAFS), presented by John Furedy (Psychology, University of Toronto)
“Academic freedom in the light of September 11,” a panel discussion featuring Nancy Innis (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), Jan Narveson (Philosophy, University of Waterloo), and Ken Westhues (Sociology, University of Waterloo)
Keynote address: “Betrayal of Liberty and Dignity on America’s Campuses,” Alan Kors (History, University of Pennsylvania, and president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE))

2001 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

University of Western Ontario

Saturday 19 May 2001

Proceedings

“President’s Introductory Remarks,” Clive Seligman (Psychology, University of Western Ontario)
Bela and Magda Furedy Academic Freedom Award Recipient 2001: Julie Bosman (journalism student at Wisconsin, editor in chief, Badger Herald), award presented by Christine Furedy (Urban Studies, York University)
“SAFS Role in Defending Academic Freedom,” a panel discussion featuring Chris Furedy (Urban Studies, York University), Murray Miles (Philosophy, Brock University), and Clive Seligman (University of Western Ontario)
Keynote Address: “Moral Panics and The Media,” Margaret Wente (Globe and Mail)

2000 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

University of Western Ontario

Saturday 13 May 2000

Proceedings

“President’s Introductory Remarks,” Doreen Kimura (Psychology, Simon Fraser University)
Bela and Magda Furedy Academic Freedom Award Recipient 2000: Rory Leishman (London Free Press), award presented by John Furedy (Psychology, University of Toronto)
“Faculty job discrimination at Wilfrid Laurier University,” Clive Seligman (Psychology, University of Western Ontario) & “The excellence-versus-equity debate at UWO,” Steve Lupker (Psychology, University of Western Ontario)
“Anti-hate laws: the good news and the bad,” Karen Selick (Lawyer and writer)

1999 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

Simon Fraser University

Saturday 8 May 1999

Proceedings

Roundtable discussion of employment equity, led by Barry Beyerstein (Psychology, Simon Fraser University) and featuring Charles Crawford (Psychology, Simon Fraser University) and Doreen Kimura (Psychology, Simon Fraser University)
“Say it ain’t so: Unpopular research and the six o’clock news,” Stanley Coren (Psychology, University of British Columbia)

1998 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

University of Toronto

Saturday 9 May 1998

Proceedings

“SAFS: Past and Present,” John Furedy (Psychology, University of Toronto)
“Pacific Developments in Academic Freedom and Scholarship 1995-98,” Peter Suedfeld (Psychology, University of British Columbia)
“Exam Accommodations for Students with Learning Disabilities: Some Steps Toward Reestablishing the Role of the Instructor,” Steve Lupker (Psychology, University of Western Ontario)
“Problems of ‘Learning Disabilities’ for the Academy: Tactics,” a panel discussion featuring Marty Wall (Psychology, University of Toronto), John Yeomans (Psychology, University of Toronto), and John Furedy (Psychology, University of Toronto)
“The Future,” Ruth Gruhn (Anthropology, University of Alberta

1997 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

University of Toronto

Saturday 10 May 1997

Proceedings

Session on UBC Developments, featuring Jack Granatstein (History, York University) and a representative from UBC
Keynote Address: “The Open Society and Its New (Multiculturalist) Enemies,” Barry Smith (Philosophy, SUNY at Buffalo)
“SAFS’ Provincial, National and International Promotion and Defence of Academic Freedom and Scholarship – An Update,” John J. Furedy (Psychology, University of Toronto)

1996 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

University of Toronto

Saturday 11 May 1996

Proceedings

SAFS and NAS: A Discussion of the Relationship, Commonalities, and Differences, with John Furedy (Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship) and Steve Balch (Natinoal Association of Scholars)
“Heterophobia: The Feminist Turn against Men,” Daphne Patai (Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, University of Massachusetts Amherst)
“Ideological Trendiness,” Gordon Chong (Toronto City Council)
“Maintaining Standards in Research, Teaching, and the Evaluation of Faculty Performance,” a symposium featuring Edwina Taborsky (Anthropology, Bishop’s University), John Furedy (Psychology, University of Toronto), and Murray Miles (Philosophy, Brock University)

1995 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

University of Toronto

Saturday 20 May 1995

Proceedings

“Students and the University: General Principles for Dealing with PC,” a panel discussion featuring Peter Hanus (University of Toronto), Joe Katzman (York University), and Krista Soots (OISE)
Keynote Address: “Moral Panic: Biopolitics and Academic Freedom,” John Fekete (Cultural Studies and English Literature, Trent University)
“Alumni-Initiated Defences of Academic Freedom,” Alan Gold (Lawyer, Toronto)
“Some Ideas about Making SAFS More Inclusive in the Sound Sense of that Term,” John Furedy (Psychology, University of Toronto)

1994 Academic General Meeting of the society for academic freedom

Location:

University of Toronto

Tuesday 17 May 1994

Proceedings

“Professors and the University,” a panel discussion featuring Chris Essex (Applied Mathematics, University of Western Ontario), John Furedy (Psychology, University of Toronto), and R. David Smith (University of Prince Edward Island)
Keynote address: “Academic Freefall: Whatever Happened to Free Speech?”, Jack Granatstein (History, York University)
“Departmental Chairs and the University,” a panel discussion featuring Tom Adamowski (English, University of Toronto), Clive Seligman (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), and Martin Wall (Psychology, University of Toronto)