TY  - EJOU
AU  - Stargardt, S. Wayne
TI  - Silencing Science at MIT: MIT Shows that Cancel Culture Causes Self-Censorship at STEM Universities
T2  - Journal of Controversial Ideas

PY  - 2025
VL  - 5
IS  - 2
SN  - 2694-5991

AB  - Polling data from the leading science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) university in the US shows that a significant degree of self-censorship is practiced by the faculty. This self-censorship stems from a fear of retaliation for expressing heterodox viewpoints, with senior administration, academic leadership, and students being the most cited sources of potential retaliation. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)’s experience suggests that similar self-censorship is likely practiced within STEM disciplines in other universities. MIT’s example also shows that the STEM faculty can respond by uniting to protect freedom of expression and academic freedom on campus. 
KW  - cancel culture
KW  - censorship
KW  - free expression
KW  - academic freedom
KW  - MIT
DO  - 10.63466/jci05020005