SpeechMatters

As schools of civic thought expand across campuses in the United States, debate continues over whether these centers foster open inquiry or advance particular ideological agendas. Christopher Tollefsen, professor of philosophy at the University of South Carolina and interim executive director of the Center for American Civic Leadership and Public Discourse, joins us to discuss what it means to be a good citizen and the responsibilities that requires. Episode Resources: * Center for American Civic Leadership and Public Discourse - McCausland College of Arts and Sciences | University of South Carolina [https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/centers_and_institutes/civic_leadership/] * Conservative(s) Teaching and Classroom Neutrality - Public Discourse [https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2025/06/98250/] * Heterodox Civic Center Reading Guide  [https://content.heterodoxacademy.org/uploads/CivicCenter_Reading-Guide_FINAL_2025-12-11-014021_jubx.pdf?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_VlfKxts5EN2LFs9encG1p7qcqyBaQk-wIGzOtEDfncimzXX1NX-wThhLRy9sUvpD6bHoB9fkWYobxQR3GZtX8e8um5Q&_hsmi=393499489&utm_content=393499489&utm_source=hs_automation]

This month we have the honor of talking with Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., California Secretary of State, about voting, education and the future of democracy. Dr. Weber draws on both her lived experience and her storied career as an educator and national leader in expanding voter access to discuss barriers facing college student voters and the vital role higher education plays in cultivating civic responsibility. Her insights offer hope and practical steps for strengthening democracy in 2026 and beyond. Episode Resources: * More official California voting locations and vote-by-mail ballot drop-off locations can be found at caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov [http://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov] once the election gets closer.  * For more information on the upcoming election, visit vote.ca.gov [http://vote.ca.gov]  * To learn more about California's college civic engagement efforts, visit California Students Vote Project [https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/castudentsvote]

In the season five premiere of the SpeechMatters podcast, host Michelle Deutchman speaks with Center Co-chairs Howard Gillman, Chancellor of UC Irvine, and Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of Berkeley Law, about their upcoming book, Campus Speech and Academic Freedom: A Guide for Difficult Times. Against the backdrop of recent controversies — from legislative restrictions on teaching and campus protests to political pressure on colleges and universities — the episode explores how higher education leaders can navigate free speech, academic freedom and institutional governance in 2026.  Resources: * Campus Speech and Academic Freedom [https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300270983/campus-speech-and-academic-freedom/]  * Opinion | Trump's 'Compact' With Universities Is Just Extortion - The New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/opinion/trump-compact-universities-constitution.html]

In the final episode of season four of the SpeechMatters podcast, guest host and former fellow Emerson Sykes of the ACLU sits down with UC Davis law professor and former fellow Brian Soucek to explore the idea of institutional neutrality in higher education and why neutrality may be a myth. Drawing on Soucek's forthcoming book, "The Opinionated University," the conversation examines whether universities can, or should remain neutral amid political polarization, how claims of neutrality can undermine academic freedom and what role administrators, faculty and students should play in shaping a university's mission and values. Episode Resources: * The Opinionated University: Academic Freedom, Diversity, and the Myth of Neutrality in American Higher Education, Soucek [https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/O/bo258248842.html] * Institutional Values, Academic Freedom, and the First Amendment | UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement [https://freespeechcenter.universityofcalifornia.edu/fellows-20-21/soucek-research/]

What does it take to create a campus where open dialogue and inclusion thrive side by side? Guest host Alex Kappus talks with Caroline Mehl, the co-founder and executive director of the Constructive Dialogue Institute, about how higher education can model the kind of discourse democracy demands. Together they explore the social science behind constructive dialogue, what leaders can do to foster trust and why free expression remains essential to learning and civic life. Episode Resources: * The Path Forward After Political Murder [https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-path-forward-after-political-murder] by Jonathan Haidt and Caroline Mehl, the Chronicle of Higher Education * Higher Education's Role in a Polarized America [https://www.carnegiehighered.com/blog/higher-educations-role-in-polarized-america/]by Alex Kappus, Carnegie Blog * Building Cultures of Constructive Dialogue: A Blueprint for Campus Leaders [https://constructivedialogue.org/articles/building-cultures-of-constructive-dialogue/]

In this episode, constitutional law scholar Timothy Zick joins us to discuss how President Trump's second term is testing our commitments to free expression and academic freedom. From the chilling of faculty speech to the fraught intersection of the First and Second Amendments, Zick examines how executive overreach is placing the nation's core democratic freedoms under unprecedented strain. Episode Resources * Thoughts on the First Substack [https://timzick.substack.com/] *  Trump 2.0: Executive Power and the First Amendment [https://firstamendmentwatch.org/deep-dive/trump-2-0-executive-power-and-the-first-amendment/] * "New Threats to Campus Protest" [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5035039]

For this special Constitution Day episode, SpeechMatters is joined by Dr. Colleen Shogan, the former Archivist of the United States, to reflect on the enduring legacy of America's founding documents. From the urgent need for a national "civics renaissance" to the risks of political interference in how we teach history, the conversation offers powerful insights into what it means to safeguard our democratic ideals in an era of polarization, misinformation and rapid technological change. Episode Resources: * America needs a civic education moonshot, before it's too late [https://thehill.com/opinion/education/5374502-america-needs-a-civic-education-moonshot-before-its-too-late/] * The Declaration of Independence | National Archives [https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration] * https://www.inpursuit.org/

Politicians, professors and pundits all seem to be talking about viewpoint diversity, and questioning whether it is a robust part of college and university life. But what does viewpoint diversity mean and how do we evaluate if it is alive and well on campus? Jon Shields, professor of government at Claremont McKenna College, shares his take on why having a diversity of views in the classroom serves democracy and offers ideas for fostering a climate of open inquiry and intellectual pluralism. Episode Resources: * "Closed Classrooms? An Analysis of College Syllabi on Contentious Issues, [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L6aUnf3HZPqOTJrP8ee-m2Szh-uyFKZA/view?pli=1]" Working Paper Draft, July 10, 2025, with Yuval Avnur and Stephanie Muravchik * "Liberal Professors Can Rescue the GOP [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/23/opinion/conservative-college-students.html]," New York Times, 23 March 2023 * "I'm a Conservative Professor Who Opposed Safe Spaces. I was Wrong. [https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/07/opinion/conservative-safe-spaces-college.html]" New York Times, 7 April 2022

In this episode, we explore a powerful VOICE project that uses art and dialogue to empower immigration-impacted communities to share their stories. Guests Dr. Laura Enriquez, Giovanna Itzel and Breana Figueroa Perez discuss their approach to fostering reflection, connection and understanding through "artivism." They explore how creative expression can bridge divides, challenge perceptions and ignite social change, and offer listeners inspiration to explore their own narratives. Episode Resources: * 2025 VOICE Recipients — UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement [https://2025VOICERecipients—UCNationalCenterforFreeSpeechandCivicEngagement] * (Re)writing Migration Stories — Undocumented Student Equity Project [https://www.undocequity.com/rewriting-migration-stories']

SpeechMatters kicks off our VOICE Summer Series by exploring the impact of the Civic Engagement Scholars Program (CESP) — a course created and taught by UC Santa Barbara VOICE recipients Katya Armistead and Viviana Marsano. Guest host Melanie Ziment talks with them and their students Sofia Aliamus and Ashley Segat about civic engagement education and how the course is inspiring the next generation of citizens to be active participants in their communities. Episode Resources: * Civic Engagement Scholars Program [https://freespeechcenter.universityofcalifornia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/CIVIC-ENGAGEMENT-SCHOLARS-PROGRAM-UCSB-VOICE-REPORT.pdf] — VOICE Initiative Report * Undergraduate Student Advocacy in the University of California System: a Handbook [https://freespeechcenter.universityofcalifornia.edu/fellows-22-23/undergraduate-student-advocacy-in-the-university-of-california-system-a-handbook/] by Emma Tolliver, UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement   * CHANGE! A Student Guide to Social Action [https://www.routledge.com/CHANGE-A-Student-Guide-to-Social-Action/Myers-Lipton/p/book/9781032418025] by Scott Myers-Lipton * Facing the Fracture [https://greenleafbookgroup.com/titles/facing-the-fracture]: How to Navigate the Challenges of Living in a Divided Nation by Dr. Tania Israel

In this month's episode, we explore how  generative artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping education — from how students learn to how educators teach. Digital Promise President and CEO Jean-Claude Brizard joins us to discuss the opportunities and challenges AI presents. Whether you are an educator, parent or student, or just curious about this innovative technology, the conversation offers valuable insights for navigating the future of education in the AI era. Episode Resources: * Artificial Intelligence in Education [https://digitalpromise.org/initiative/artificial-intelligence-in-education/] – Digital Promise * 'We Have to Really Rethink the Purpose of Education' [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-rebecca-winthrop.html] - The New York Times

SpeechMatters welcomes Jeremy Young from the American Association of Colleges and Universities for a conversation about ongoing attacks on higher education — and what's at risk if we don't defend our colleges and universities. Jeremy discusses why it's critical for higher education leaders to speak with a united voice, especially in light of growing government interference and censorship efforts under the current administration. Episode Resources * A Call for Constructive Engagement | AAC&U [https://www.aacu.org/newsroom/a-call-for-constructive-engagement] * Emerging From a Collective Silence, Universities Organize to Fight Trump - The New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/27/us/trump-university-presidents.html]

This month Michelle talks with UC Student Regent Josiah Beharry and Student Regent-Designate Sonya Brooks to explore the power of student leadership in shaping the university. Josiah and Sonya share their journeys to these roles, the challenges they have faced and strategies they have developed to advocate effectively. At a time when higher education is facing unprecedented challenges, their insights offer a hopeful vision for the positive power of speech. Episode Resources: * How research prepared Sonya Brooks to represent UC students on the Board of Regents | University of California [https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/how-research-prepared-sonya-brooks-represent-uc-students-board-regents] * UC Merced graduate student Josiah Beharry appointed as 2024-25 UC student Regent | University of California [https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/press-room/uc-merced-graduate-student-josiah-beharry-appointed-2024-25-uc-student-regent]

TikTok is banned (and then not). Meta eliminates fact-checking. Policy-makers debate how to moderate content and provide a safe online experience. So much is happening in the world of online speech, which is why we invited John Perrino, Senior Policy and Advocacy Expert at Internet Society to join the pod. He will help clarify what's at stake, why it matters and how using technology in moderation can improve our lives. Episode Resources: * The Global Impact of a US TikTok Ban - Internet Society [https://www.internetsociety.org/blog/2025/01/the-global-impact-of-a-us-tiktok-ban/]  * Using 'safety by design' to address online harms [https://www.brookings.edu/articles/using-safety-by-design-to-address-online-harms/]  * An overdue idea for making the internet safer just got the funding it needs [https://www.platformer.news/roost-open-source-trust-safety] * Push for Independent Research in Tech Accountability Legislation [https://www.techpolicy.press/push-for-independent-research-in-tech-accountability-legislation/]

2025 is hardly underway, and it's already clear that the new year and new administration will spell changes for how the federal government regulates higher education. Joining us to discuss  the demise of the Chevron doctrine, the nominee for Secretary of the Department of Education and the role we can play in promoting the value of higher education is Jonathan Fansmith, the American Council on Education's Senior Vice President of Government Relations and National Engagement.  Episode Resources: * ACE's dotEDU Live Podcast: Higher Education's Path Forward in Trump's Second Term [https://www.acenet.edu/Pages/dotedu/122-Higher-Ed-Path-Forward.aspx] * "The Only Certainty Is Uncertainty" by Jon Fansmith [https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/views/2024/07/02/after-chevron-higher-ed-should-prepare-chaos-opinion] in Inside Higher Education

In the final episode of Season 3, Michelle sits down with Dr. Mary Anne Franks, a leading First Amendment scholar, to discuss her new book "Fearless Speech: Breaking Free From the First Amendment." Dr. Franks unpacks the concepts of "fearless speech" and "reckless speech," and delves into how her book reimagines free speech as a practice rooted in courage, candor and accountability. Episode Resources: * Fearless Speech: Breaking Free from the First Amendment [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/imprint/bold-type-books/] by Mary Anne Franks * Amicus Podcast from Slate featuring Mary Anne Franks: https://slate.com/podcasts/amicus/2024/11/trumps-justice-pick-matt-gaetz-is-a-portrait-of-maga-misogyny

Internationally renowned election law expert, Rick Hasen, joins SpeechMatters to reflect on last week's election, the role of disinformation in the lead up to it, and the types of challenges our democracy may face under the new administration.  Episode Resources: * The Safeguarding Democracy Project: https://law.ucla.edu/academics/centers/safeguarding-democracy-project * Election Law Blog: https://electionlawblog.org/

Too often the conversation about expression in higher education centers on the social sciences, humanities and the law, which is why this month we are speaking with Dr. Catherine Lucey, executive vice chancellor and provost at University of California San Francisco (UCSF). We discuss the history of advocacy and community engagement at UCSF and how she thinks about current speech challenges. Episode Resources: * UCSF Med School Differences Matter: https://medschool.ucsf.edu/differences-matter * UCSF Office of Diversity and Outreach: https://diversity.ucsf.edu/ * UCSF Institutionalizing Rest in Response to Racial and Sociopolitical Trauma: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38847650/ * NY Times: "In San Francisco, Doctors Feud Over 'Do No Harm' When It Comes to War Protests:" https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/24/us/israel-hamas-war-sf-doctors.html

Piya Bose, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at UC San Diego, was part of the UCSD team that weathered an encampment, the cancellation of the school's annual Sun God Festival, and the occupation of a campus Starbucks last academic year. She joins SpeechMatters to discuss lessons learned, how to apply them in the new year and remind us of the transformative power of a college or university education. Episode Resources: * Voter Engagement Resource Page: https://freespeechcenter.universityofcalifornia.edu/programs-and-resources/resource-materials-voter-engagement/  [https://freespeechcenter.universityofcalifornia.edu/programs-and-resources/resource-materials-voter-engagement/]

Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court closed out its blockbuster term with expression-related decisions that affect the national regulatory and higher education landscape. Leading constitutional scholar and UC Berkeley School of Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky joins SpeechMatters to share both his insights on this Supreme Court term and his reflections on the tumultuous past year on campus. Episode Resources * NY Times Opinion: "The First Amendment is Out of Control" [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/02/opinion/supreme-court-netchoice-free-speech.html] by Tim Wu * ACLU: "Why is the ACLU Representing the NRA Before the US Supreme Court" [https://www.aclu.org/news/free-speech/why-is-the-aclu-representing-the-nra-before-the-us-supreme-court] by Anthony D. Romero * Freedom Forum: First Amendment Supreme Court Cases: 2023-2024 Term [https://FirstAmendmentSupremeCourtCases:2023-2024Term]