Freedom of expression is enshrined in the South African Constitution. Within academia, this right is held almost sacred, with academic freedom considered one of the cornerstones of the academic project. However, recent debates within South African universities have complicated this 'freedom'. The University of Cape Town's highly publicised debate about not entering into any formal relationships with Israeli academic institutions operating in the occupied Palestinian territories and other Israeli academic institutions enabling gross human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories; the decision of Israeli academics to withdraw from the Recognition, Reparation and Reconciliation conference hosted at Stellenbosch University last year after an outcry about their participation; and the condemnation of the participation of David Bullard at a Stellenbosch University student event all raise questions about the role and responsibility that universities have in relation to freedom of expression and, specifically, academic freedom. Should universities take ethical and moral stands? Or is this a suppression of intellectual autonomy? Are there limits to the right to freedom of expression in a constitutional democracy? If so, how do academic institutions navigate these?​​

Please send RSVPs to Ms. Grizelda Adams: grizeldaa@sun.ac.za