Academia in the Era of Culture Wars: University Ethos and Academic Freedom of Expression

The term "culture wars" refers to complex social conflicts rooted in moral and cultural issues rather than purely economic factors. Such conflicts concern various aspects of social life, including values, norms, religious beliefs, customs, and politics. In the proposed workshop in Oñati, we intend to explore the relationship of this phenomenon to the academic ethos and the extent of researchers' freedom of expression. A practical challenge arises here regarding the ability to exercise the constitutional right to freedom of expression within the context of academics in their specific professional role. This issue is particularly evident in the case of academics who actively engage in debates surrounding controversial social issues, such as abortion, LGBT rights, the role of religion in the public sphere, immigration disputes, or the so-called rule of law crisis.

The main research question guiding the planned workshop is: Does the academic ethos call for academics to remain neutral in the culture wars, or does it require their active engagement? If the latter is correct, the challenge is determining the appropriate way for the university community's involvement in culture wars. Regarding the issues above, we intend to examine the following specific research questions:

• Are the social expectations in the public debate on academic research and teaching relevant, or is the academic ethos largely independent of societal pressures?
• Can the academic stance on culture wars be generalized, or does disciplinary background shape it?
• Are academic expression patterns universal, or do they depend on a society’s historico-cultural context?
• How does the rise of social media impact the problem at hand?

The academic ethos can be analyzed through sociological, historical, philosophical, and legal perspectives. Additionally, socio-cultural diagnoses of contemporary academia, both nationally and globally, are integral to the workshop discussions. The event aims to contribute to socio-legal studies through an interdisciplinary dialogue that critically examines the role of the academy and its members in society and culture. The academic's freedom of expression, formally a legal category, is to be examined in a broader socio-institutional context. By considering their own position to some extent, rather than merely external subjects, the workshop participants find themselves in a situation that presents a compelling case through the lens of reflexivity.

The planned workshop envisions each participant receiving a 30-minute slot, comprising a brief presentation based on a paper submitted in advance, commentary by a designated workshop participant, and an open discussion.