Social Media Storytellers: On Academic Freedom is an exciting new project in the School of Humanities that funds undergraduate students to research and produce multi-media work on the topic of academic freedom. Funded by a VOICE grant from the UC National Center for Free Speech, Academic Freedom fellows work in a small cohort alongside professors, campus communications professionals, and distinguished alumni.
Social Media Storytellers began with a simple question: What is academic freedom, and why is it important for undergraduate students?
Over two quarters, twelve UCI humanities fellows explored that question through seminars, readings, interviews, research, and original media projects, working alongside faculty, staff, and alumni from across the School of Humanities.
Read our article about the academic freedom course at UCI.
"This course showed me that academic freedom is the invisible framework supporting every discussion, question, and pursuit of knowledge."
Criminology, Law and Society, Class of 2027
"Working on a project with my cohort sparked unique discussions and exposed me to diverse perspectives on academic freedom and how it is applied in various aspects of academia--domestically and internationally."
English, Class of 2027
"The Fellowship was an incredible opportunity! We were at the forefront of compelling topics, including artificial intelligence and campus speech. It was a great thing to highlight in my law school applications and on my resume."
History, Class of 2027
"Exploring academic freedom revealed how questions of belonging and identity shape whose voices are heard, valued, and protected in higher education."
Film and Media Studies, Class of 2026
