Academic Freedom (Applied Research)

Policy Number
3405
Responsibility
VP Academic
Approved
Board of Governors
Effective Date
November 16, 2010
Amended
June 28, 2012
Context/Purpose

This Policy applies to research activities conducted by the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC).

Institutions of higher learning serve the common good of society and are dedicated to the pursuit and dissemination of truth, knowledge and understanding through fostering independent thinking and expression. These ends cannot be achieved without academic freedom.

Policy Statement

The JIBC will ensure a research environment that supports academic freedom. Academic staff have rights and privileges to engage in independent thinking and expression unhindered by external or non-academic constraint, to pursue avenues of inquiry and to engage in full and unrestricted consideration of any opinion. These rights carry with them the duty and responsibility to use that freedom in a way that is consistent with the scholarly pursuit for truth, knowledge and understanding. These rights and privileges must be exercised within the laws of Canada and the province of British Columbia, and JIBC policies and procedures. 

Definitions

a.  Academic Freedom
The freedom to engage in research or other creative work in order to expand knowledge and to do so in an atmosphere of free inquiry and exposition. It includes the right to examine and question, in an environment that supports the need to investigate, speculate and comment without penalty or sanction.

b.  Academic Staff
This includes all JIBC faculty, researchers, seconded staff and contractors who are engaged in research pursuits within the JIBC.  Academic staff may also include external visitors, speakers or scholars operating under the auspices of the JIBC. 

Related Policies and Procedures