Activism for Academic Freedom: students taking a stand for global scholars | Monash

With 3.6 billion people living in countries where academic freedom is fully restricted — and hundreds of millions more facing partial limits — the Activism for Academic Freedom unit empowers students to defend the right to think, teach and speak freely.

This third-year, team-based, hands-on course pairs students with international network Scholars at Risk to design and deliver real-world advocacy campaigns for imprisoned or at-risk academics.  

Students first build a theoretical understanding of academic freedom’s role in democracy, then apply it through research, campaigning and storytelling that give voice to scholars silenced globally.  

The program cultivates ethical, engaged and globally aware graduates, equipping them with advocacy, research and teamwork skills – and proving education can be a force for justice and human rights worldwide.  

Entrants - Dr Kate Murphy, Associate Professor Suzy Killmister, Mr Tony Williams