Two faculty will be elected.
View the Current Membership of the Committee
THE DEADLINE TO CAST YOUR BALLOT IS 11:59 PM, APRIL 7.
Candidates for Election to the Committee of Counsel on Academic Freedom and Responsibility
Anthony Brown, Professor, Curriculum and Instruction
Noah De Lissovoy, Professor, Curriculum and Instruction
Brian Evans, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Free inquiry, free expression, intellectual exploration, and open dissent are critical for student learning and the advancement of knowledge. Academic freedom allows instructors to help students develop the critical thinking, knowledge, training, and professional networks needed for successful careers, free from
censorship by the institution. Based on my experience as Faculty Council Chair 2019-2020 and a member of this committee for many years, the committee plays an important role in shared governance, due process, and tenure that serve as safeguards for academic freedom. On these matters, the committee provides advice to faculty and the administration, including improving tenure and promotion policies and practices. The committee also investigates a faculty member's claims of violations of procedures and/or academic freedom principles in their promotion, tenure, annual, comprehensive, and mid-probationary evaluations.
Michael Hames-García, Professor, Mexican American Studies
Lori Holt, Professor, Psychology
I joined the the faculty at UT Austin in 2023 as Professor of Psychology where my lab studies auditory cognitive neuroscience: how the brain listens. At my prior institution I served two terms on the university-level promotion and review committee that assures procedural compliance in the review process. I also represented my college in a university-wide committee charged with improving the promotion and tenure process
Vishwanath Iyer, Professor, Molecular Biology
Sarfraz Khurshid, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Lawrence Sager, Professor, School of Law
Pauline Strong, Professor, Anthropology
I have been a member of the Department of Anthropology since 1993, and my leadership experience includes directing the Humanities Institute (2009-2022) and the Program in Native American and Indigenous Studies (currently). Academic freedom, which is essential to our teaching, scholarship, and creative work, is facing unprecedented attacks. My previous service on CCAFR (which includes chairing the committee) and on the executive committee of the AAUP chapter at UT Austin have prepared me to contribute to this committee’s essential work in defending academic freedom and due process. In addition to its traditional activities, I would like to see CCAFR become more active in educating faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, and administrators on the fundamentals of academic freedom.
Jeremi Suri, Professor, History and LBJ School of Public Affairs
I am a scholar of history, politics, and policy-making. My work shows how crucial free speech is to a healthy democracy and innovative universities. I hope to help our university community protect free speech and academic freedom in this challenging time.