Free speech issues on college campuses have been around a long time, but several incidents this year have raised new awareness around the country.
Now the newly established National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement at the University of California is offering fellowships as part of its mission to enlighten and engage people in a discussion about the current state of free speech "on our college campuses, our relationship with the First Amendment and what the future holds for free speech."
The part-time fellowships will offer those selected a stipend of $20,000 to work on a project that will explore the First Amendment on college campuses and need not be based out of Washington, D.C. Deadline to apply at this page is Dec. 11.
According to the announcement, "UC seeks applicants who are passionate about channeling their expertise into advancing knowledge and discourse of the First Amendment and civic engagement. The center aims to support individuals who are established in their respective fields — including policy thinkers, legal scholars, social scientists and journalists — and who will leverage this opportunity to shape the national debate through pioneering work."
"Following the close of the application period, the center’s advisory board will review and select up to eight applicants to serve a one-year fellowship beginning in 2018."
"Selected fellows will support the center by conducting research or developing a project to further freedom of expression, such as creating a toolkit for campuses, a student app or a published paper. As part of their hands-on work, fellows will also engage current UC students at the UCDC center in Washington, D.C., as well as during a week in residence at one of UC’s 10 campuses. Finally, the fellows will present their yearlong project at a national conference in 2018, with the aim of developing new approaches for educating students about the critical role of the First Amendment in American democracy."
