Heterodox Academy (HxA)
Western Michigan University is a member of the Heterodox Academy (HxA) and one of 23 members of the first cohort for Heterodox Academy’s Campus Community Network, joining such institutions as Johns Hopkins University, McGill University, MIT and the University of California-Berkeley. We are the only higher ed institution in Michigan represented and the largest in the nation, uniting 80 active faculty, staff, and administrators.
Heterodox Academy (HxA) is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving college campuses by providing framework, data, tools, and platforms to help people understand and address the challenges facing institutions of higher learning regarding open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement.
Supported by the HxA, Jeff Breneman, vice president for government relations; David Paul, chair of the Department of Philosophy at Western Michigan University; and Jennifer Townsend, executive assistant to the Lee Honors College dean and an adjunct instructor, lead our Campus Community Network. All WMU students, faculty and staff are welcome and encouraged to join!
Open Inquiry
The ability to ask questions, share ideas, and challenge existing orthodoxy without risk of censure.
Viewpoint Diversity
When members of a group or community approach problems or questions from a range of perspectives, backgrounds, and personal experiences.
Constructive Disagreement
Occurs when people who have different perspectives on an idea or issue are committed to collaboratively exploring and learning from one another.
