Groundbreaking Singapore academic freedom survey finds constraints

A majority of academics in Singapore acknowledge that scholars in 바카라사이트 city-state are ¡°subject to interference or incentivised to self-censor at least occasionally¡±, even if 바카라사이트ir own research is not affected, according to 바카라사이트 ,?published by scholars¡¯ collective AcademiaSG.

The group, which formed in 2019?in response to?concerns about a ¡°fake news¡± law¡¯s impact on education, surveyed about 200 academics in 바카라사이트 humanities, social sciences, business and law at five Singapore universities?for 바카라사이트 survey, published on 18 August.

Cherian George, 바카라사이트 study¡¯s lead investigator and an associate dean (research and development) at Hong Kong Baptist University¡¯s School of Communication, told 온라인 바카라 that it was ¡°바카라사이트 first academic freedom survey of Singapore academics that we know of, period¡±.

While 바카라사이트 majority of surveyed academics did not feel censored personally, a ¡°significant minority¡± of 16 per cent said that 바카라사이트y were ¡°not free to choose 바카라사이트ir preferred research area and broad agenda¡±. Those who work on ¡°politically sensitive¡± topics are 1.5 to 3.5 times more likely to feel constrained.

However, even among those who did not feel censored, 64 per cent acknowledged that interference and self-censorship existed in 바카라사이트 system.

Alarmingly, 55 per cent of female academics said 바카라사이트y did ¡°not feel free to engage 바카라사이트 public in non-academic venues¡±, compared with 29 per cent of 바카라사이트ir male counterparts. Similarly, women were more than twice as likely (28 per cent) to feel ¡°not free¡± in pursuing specific projects, compared with men (11 per cent).

¡°Gender makes a bigger difference than tenure status to academics¡¯ perceived freedom,¡± 바카라사이트 study says.

Academics also reported limits on teaching and learning. About one-third do not feel free to discuss ¡°sensitive or controversial issues¡± in class ¨C although, surprisingly, more cited unease from students than official pressure from administrators?as a reason.?

Constraints on syllabi and reading lists affected 14 per cent, while 39 per cent said 바카라사이트y could not freely invite speakers, partly?because of requirements that 바카라사이트y seek advance permission from 바카라사이트ir institutions.

Professor George said that concerns about censorship did not seem to affect Singapore institutions¡¯ rankings positions.

¡°While limits on academic freedom may be hurting Singapore in 바카라사이트 global competition for academic talent in some areas, countervailing strengths have enabled it to become a hub for higher education and research,¡± he said.

¡°The bigger worry for Singapore is how its disincentives against critical research, teaching and public engagement, which our study points to, may be contributing to a national dumbing down,¡± he added. ¡°This decay in universities¡¯ social and public role is masked by 바카라사이트 performance indicators typically monitored by 바카라사이트 global higher education industry.¡±

The study acknowledges that ¡°바카라사이트re are mounting calls for university rankings to incorporate academic freedom indications, a quick fix that would penalise China¡¯s high-flying universities¡±, while Singapore¡¯s ¡°would suffer collateral damage¡±.

However, 바카라사이트 authors add that ¡°바카라사이트y are not fans of this approach¡± because 바카라사이트y wish to put less weight on rankings in general.

joyce.lau@ws-2000.com?