Academic and Research Freedom Policy

Policy Statement

An-Najah National University (ANNU) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to upholding, protecting, and promoting academic and research freedom as a fundamental pillar of higher education and an essential condition for the pursuit of truth, innovation, and societal progress.

Academic freedom encompasses the freedom of inquiry, teaching, learning, research, expression, and publication. The University recognizes the right and responsibility of its academic community—including faculty, researchers, and students—to explore ideas, challenge assumptions, and contribute to intellectual and public discourse without fear of censorship, institutional pressure, or retaliation.

ANNU fosters an environment of intellectual independence, inclusivity, and mutual respect, where diverse perspectives are valued and protected, ensuring that knowledge can flourish freely and responsibly.

Purpose

This policy provides a comprehensive framework for defining, supporting, and safeguarding academic and research freedom at An-Najah National University.
It aims to:

1. Affirm academic freedom as a core institutional value.

2. Clarify the rights and responsibilities of faculty, researchers, and students in exercising this freedom.

3. Ensure that academic freedom extends equitably to all members of the academic community—senior and junior alike.

4. Establish mechanisms for protection, enforcement, and redress in cases where academic freedom is infringed upon.

5. Promote a culture of independent thinking, ethical scholarship, and critical engagement with local, regional, and global issues.

Scope

This policy applies to all members of An-Najah National University’s academic community, including:

• Senior academic staff (professors, associate professors).

• Junior academic staff (assistant professors, lecturers, instructors).

• Researchers, research assistants, and postdoctoral fellows.

• Students engaged in academic and research activities.

• University administrators involved in academic governance and decision-making.

Definitions

For the purpose of this policy:

1. Academic Freedom – The right of faculty, researchers, and students to freely pursue inquiry, teaching, discussion, and publication without external interference or institutional censorship.

2. Research Freedom – The liberty to select research topics, methodologies, and collaborators, and to disseminate findings publicly, consistent with ethical standards and professional integrity.

3. Teaching Freedom – The right to design and deliver course content, methods, and evaluations in accordance with disciplinary standards, pedagogical best practices, and curriculum frameworks.

4. Senior Academics – Faculty members holding permanent or senior appointments (professor or associate professor rank).

5. Junior Academics – Early-career academics (assistant professors, lecturers, or instructors) who are developing their research and teaching profiles.

6. Censorship – Any attempt to suppress or restrict academic expression, research, or publication based on political, ideological, or institutional considerations rather than scholarly merit.

7. Retaliation – Any adverse action taken against an individual for exercising their academic freedom rights.

Core Principles

1. Freedom of Teaching and Research

2. All academic staff and students have the right to teach, study, and conduct research freely, selecting their areas of inquiry without undue interference.

3. The University ensures that all academic work is governed by intellectual merit, ethical responsibility, and professional integrity.

4. The freedom to publish, present, and disseminate research findings is protected under this policy.

2. Freedom for Senior Academics

3. Senior academics possess full autonomy to define research directions, methodologies, and collaborations.

4. They may publicly express expert opinions within their areas of scholarship and participate in academic and public forums without prior institutional approval.

5. Senior academics bear an additional responsibility to mentor junior colleagues in exercising academic freedom ethically and constructively.

3. Freedom for Junior Academics

4. Junior academics are entitled to the same protection of research and teaching freedom as senior academics.

5. The University ensures that junior staff are not subject to undue influence, coercion, or limitation in selecting their research focus or teaching methods.

6. Mentorship and institutional support will be provided to ensure that junior academics can develop independent research identities and pedagogical confidence.

4. Teaching Freedom

5. Academic staff at all levels have the right to design course content, select materials, and adopt teaching methodologies that reflect current scholarship and academic diversity.

6. The University promotes a classroom environment that encourages open inquiry, debate, and critical thinking while upholding respect for human dignity and differing viewpoints.

5. Freedom of Public Expression

6. Faculty and researchers may speak, publish, and engage publicly about their fields of expertise, contributing to policy, community, and academic debates.

7. The University supports responsible public engagement and the dissemination of knowledge for the benefit of society.

6. Non-Discrimination and Inclusion

7. Academic freedom must be exercised free from discrimination on the basis of gender, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social status.

8. The University is committed to fostering inclusive participation and equal opportunity in all academic and research endeavors.

7. Integrity, Confidentiality, and Responsibility

8. The exercise of academic freedom carries with it the duty to maintain scholarly integrity, respect confidentiality, and adhere to ethical research standards.

9. Academic freedom does not protect misconduct, discrimination, or violations of university policies.

Access, Support, and Guidance

1. The University guarantees equitable access to research resources, facilities, and funding opportunities for all academics.

2. Institutional mechanisms shall provide advisory support for issues related to research ethics, intellectual property, and academic freedom disputes.

3. Faculty and students are encouraged to seek guidance from Deans or the Office of Academic Affairs regarding their rights and obligations under this policy.

Procedures and Enforcement

1. Policy Implementation

Deans, Department Chairs, and the Office of Academic Affairs are responsible for ensuring that the principles of this policy are applied uniformly across all faculties and academic units.

2. Reporting Violations

3. Any member of the University who believes their academic freedom has been violated may submit a written complaint to the Academic Freedom Committee (AFC).

4. The AFC will investigate promptly, impartially, and confidentially, with recommendations submitted to the University Council for resolution.

3. Protection from Retaliation

No individual shall face reprisal or discrimination for exercising or defending their academic freedom under this policy.

4. Training and Awareness

Regular training, workshops, and seminars will be conducted to raise awareness of academic freedom rights, ethical responsibilities, and best practices.

5. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed every four years, or earlier if required, to ensure ongoing relevance and effectiveness.

Accountability and Governance

The President, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the University Council are collectively responsible for the implementation, oversight, and enforcement of this policy.
Annual reports on the state of academic freedom shall be submitted to the University Senate to ensure transparency and continuous improvement.

Approval and Endorsement

• President of An-Najah National University

• Vice President for Academic Affairs

• Dean of Scientific Research

 

Effective Date: December 12, 2018

Review Date: Jun 18, 2024