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Embrace Intellectual Vitality, Don’t Dismiss It

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Harvard has a discourse problem. Just look at last year’s senior survey, which reported that only 36 percent of students felt comfortable expressing opposing views on controversial topics in courses. There’s no quick way to create a culture where students feel comfortable engaging in open, honest dialogue. But Harvard’s new intellectual vitality initiative is a good start….

What is at stake in Intellectual Vitality?

  • Publication date July 8, 2024
  • Categories: Op-Ed
The image shows a classroom or lecture hall filled with students. The students are seated in tiered rows, typically found in large lecture halls. Most of the students have laptops open in front of them and appear to be taking notes or following along with a lecture. The setting suggests it is a higher education environment, such as a university or college. The students are dressed casually, and the atmosphere seems focused and studious.

In April 2024, 200 students (across all class years) joined a town hall in Quincy dining hall to talk about their experience at Harvard: what is going well and what could be better? Brilliantly moderated by dedicated graduating seniors, students engaged in some “think, pair, shares” and flash polls. The results: students feel overwhelmingly fortunate…

The Missing Middle

This image shows a large building with speech bubble-shaped holes on the green lawn in front of it. There is a person standing alone near the holes. Groups of people holding signs are gathered on both sides, suggesting a protest or demonstration. The image implies themes of communication and public discourse.

How overheated political attention warps campus life This academic year, Harvard’s campus has been a political powder keg. Many commentators are rightly concerned about free speech at this University and others, but the current national discussion has overlooked the harmful effects of its own presence. A disproportionate focus on our campus can exacerbate the effects of…

Chin-wag: to have a chat, a friendly conversation.

The image depicts a scene inside a wood-paneled auditorium. There are two people engaged in what appears to be a performance or presentation. One person is standing and interacting with a theremin, an electronic musical instrument, while the other person is seated and playing an electric guitar. Behind them is a large projection screen displaying an image or artwork featuring two faces superimposed against a landscape with cacti. A large statue is visible on the left side of the stage. The setting suggests a combination of live music and visual presentation.

On Sunday, April 28, actor Paul Giamatti and author and philosopher Stephen Asma recorded a live episode of their award-winning podcast, Chinwag, in Sanders Theater. The show’s focus is anything and everything – offering the podcasters the opportunity to discuss diverse topics in-depth.   The duo opened the show with Paul playing the theremin and…

Books Open, Gates Unbarred: The University and the Limits of Free Speech

The image depicts an indoor setting where a small group of people are attending a discussion or seminar. The attendees are seated in rows of chairs facing two individuals at the front of the room who are engaged in conversation. One of the individuals is holding a microphone, suggesting they may be speaking to the audience or being interviewed. The room is decorated with framed artworks on the walls, which feature bird illustrations. The setting suggests a formal yet intimate educational or professional event.

The Council for Academic Freedom catalyzed a broad re-examination of assumptions dominating campus culture for over a decade. Among them was whether Harvard University administration should adopt institutional neutrality. On Monday, April 8, 2024, James Bryant Conant University Professor Danielle Allen, and Harvard Medical School Professor of Psychobiology, Bertha Madras, came together to share their…

Is Harvard Campus Conversation Constrained?

The image depicts two people with red "X" marks over their mouths. The "X" marks appear to be made of red tape, symbolizing silence or censorship. The image is monochromatic, mostly in shades of gray, except for the bright red of the tape.

At Harvard, there are research areas that can’t be investigated, subjects that can’t be broached in public, and ideas that can’t be discussed in a classroom. So say a group of Harvard professors, now more than 120 strong, who have formed a Council on Academic Freedom to respond to perceived assaults on free inquiry and…

Harvard College and PEN America Intellectual Vitality and Free Expression Staff Summit

On January 24, 2024, as part of the Intellectual Vitality Initiatives, Harvard College welcomed guest speakers from PEN America for a special professional development event for College staff and administrators. The day-long summit comprised of three workshops that aimed to help equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and insights needed to navigate issues related to…

Books Open, Gates Unbarred: Violence and Nonviolence by the Numbers

On Thursday, February 22, 2024, Harvard College Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology Steven Pinker, and Harvard Kennedy School Frank Stanton Professor of the First Amendment (and Pforzheimer House Faculty Dean), Erica Chenoweth kicked off the first of the Books Open, Gates Unbarred dinner and dialogue series with the conversation on War: Violence and Nonviolence By…