Author Profile

Donald Downs

Donald A. Downs is a professor of political science, law, and journalism at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Research Fellow at the Independent Institute. An expert on academic freedom, he has advised several schools and organizations on academic freedom issues. He is the president of the Committee for Academic Freedom and Rights (CAFAR), a University of Wisconsin-based group of faculty dedicated to protecting academic freedom on campus and in the state of Wisconsin.

He has taught courses dealing with many aspects of law and politics. Three of his books— Nazis in Skokie, The New Politics of Pornography, and Restoring Free Speech and Liberty on Campus—have received national awards. Downs is currently writing a book entitled Arms and the University: Military Presence and the Civic Education of Non-Military Students. He has won numerous awards for teaching, including the university's Distinguished Teaching Award.

Downs has a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California at Berkeley, a master's degree from the University of Illinois, and a bachelor's degree from Cornell. He has also taught at the University of Michigan and Notre Dame.

Articles by Donald Downs

Apr 3, 2019 · Donald Downs

Campus Free Speech Needs Protection—The Question Is How

Like a cannonball, President Trump has leaped into the turbulent waters of higher education free speech policy and action. Carrying through on a promise he made during a freewheeling speech…

May 3, 2017 · Donald Downs

Free Speech Is More Threatened Than Ever and We Must Respond

Many readers probably have read about the New Wave of free speech suppression that has swept across campuses in the last several years. It comes on the heels of the…

May 28, 2013 · Donald Downs

What Boundaries for Science?

A course at Ball State University pushes the envelope on academic freedom.

Jul 20, 2010 · Donald Downs

Free Speech’s Death by a Thousand Cuts

The denial of controversial UNC-Wilmington professor Michael Adams’ promotion has worrisome implications.

Apr 27, 2009 · Donald Downs

Academic Freedom

Today’s university is rife with competing claims about academic freedom. Although it is similar to the freedom of speech that all Americans enjoy, academic freedom has developed into a more specific guarantee for scholars and teachers. This new paper by Donald Downs, professor of political science, law, and journalism at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, explains what is meant by the term and to whom it applies.