Research
We support original scholarship that explores the challenges and opportunities of expression and democratic learning in higher education.
About Us
The UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement brings together higher education stakeholders to examine how free expression and civic engagement shape learning, democracy and public life.
Who we are
Our Mission
To explore the intersection of expression, engagement and democratic learning and consider what can be done to restore trust in the value of free speech on college campuses and within society at large.
Our Approach
Free expression in higher education has never been more contested — or more consequential. Students, faculty, and administrators face increasingly complex questions about the role and value of speech, the nature of discourse, and how to build communities that honor both knowledge discovery and human dignity.nnThe Center was founded on the belief that these questions deserve serious, sustained attention — not reactive policy-making, but rigorous research, thoughtful programming, and practical resources that help campus communities navigate these challenges with integrity.nnWe believe that higher education is critical to a thriving democracy, and that each of us has a critical role to play.
u0022The University of California’s National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement provides a unique service to all of higher education — combining often disconnected themes of speech, inclusion, discussion, political learning, and engagement in democracy.u0022
Our Origin Story
Born at UC Berkeley
Born at UC Berkeley in the 1960s, the Free Speech Movement reshaped how Americans understood the First Amendment and the role of universities in public discourse.
Today, a renewed wave of activism, polarization and public scrutiny is once again challenging institutions of higher education to define how free expression should function on campus.
Students, scholars and leaders are grappling with difficult questions about speech, inclusion and civic responsibility — making the need for thoughtful, informed dialogue more urgent than ever.
Carrying the Torch
Building on UC’s legacy of leadership, the Center works to move conversations about expression and engagement beyond soundbites and into substantive discourse.
Through research, strategy and dialogue, we create space for deeper understanding — helping institutions and individuals navigate difficult issues with clarity, respect and purpose.
Strategy
We elevate ideas and perspectives that inform policy and practice in higher education.
Dialogue
We foster environments where difficult conversations can happen, encouraging disagreement and fostering intellectual growth. By creating accessible forums for discourse, we help communities engage.
Our Impact
Annual Reports
Each year we publish a report documenting our programs, fellows, and impact across the UC system and beyond.nnAnnual reports open as PDFs in the browser — no individual year landing pages needed.
Previous Reports
Our work
From Conversation to Action
The conversation doesn’t stop here. Discover how students, scholars, and leaders are putting these ideas into practice.
Event
#SpeechMatters 2026
A national conversation on free expression and open inquiry in higher education.
Fellowship Project
From Capitol to Campus
A Practitioner’s Toolkit for Protecting Academic Freedom in the Face of State and Federal Challenges
Latest Perspective
The Project of Civic Thought in Higher Education
Christopher Tollefsen, interim executive director of the Center for American Civic Leadership and Public Discourse, joins the pod to discuss the advent of civic thought centers at colleges and universities.
Get Involved with the Center
Whether you're a researcher, educator, student, or campus leader — there's a way to engage with our work.