There’s an intensifying kind of threat to academic freedom – watchful students serving as informants

Restricting academic freedom is often thought of in terms of universities telling professors what they can and cannot do or teach. But that isn’t the only scenario.

By: Austin Sarat, Amherst College, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 14, 2026

Words: 1,315

Last Updated: 2 months ago

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By Austin Sarat, Amherst College

Texas A&M University told philosophy professor Martin Peterson in early January 2026 that he could not teach some of Greek philosopher Plato’s writings that touch on “race and gender ideology.”

The university’s local chapter of the American Association of University Professors, an organization of professors and academics in the U.S., quickly denounced this requirement.

Peterson, in response to his university’s direction, replaced the Plato readings with material …

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