Jacob Mchangama

Excellence, the first principle set forth in the updated Code of Bylaws approved by Vanderbilt’s Board of Trust, along with our other two guiding principles—academic freedom and free expression, and growth and development—drives our core purpose: to provide transformative education and pathbreaking research. It is our foremost commitment and our steadfast promise in all that we do. Read More

Five questions with Jacob Mchangama, one of the world’s leading authorities on the fundamental freedom of free speech Read More

On June 24 in Washington, D.C., The Future of Free Speech at Vanderbilt University and the Center for Democracy and Technology convened a symposium on Artificial Intelligence & The First Amendment: Protecting Free Speech in the AI Era to explore how federal and state policymakers grapple with regulating emerging AI technology while respecting The First Amendment. Read More

With the first presidential debate of 2024 quickly approaching, the American public is expressing widespread concern about the state of democracy and our Constitution. There is also consensus among Americans that free speech is fundamental to democratic governance, according to the most recent Vanderbilt Unity Poll measuring Americans' views of unity and beliefs on government and democracy.  Read More

In August 2023, the university launched Dialogue Vanderbilt, its core initiative to bridge divides, reestablish a vibrant culture of civil discourse and free expression, and showcase experts from on campus and around the world, leading the charge to build more engaged citizens and communities.  Read More

Vanderbilt celebrated its “bedrock principle” of free speech through a series of panels and discussions Oct. 10–17 during the university’s inaugural celebration of national Free Speech Week. Read More

Vanderbilt faculty members Jad Abumrad, one of the pioneers of podcasting, and Jacob Mchangama, a leading expert on free speech, will take part in a thought-provoking discussion Nov. 2 as part of the Dialogue Vanderbilt initiative. “Freedom or Foolishness: Are Our Digital Lives Making Society Better or Worse?” is presented by the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries and the Wild Bunch Lecture Fund. Read More

Vanderbilt will hold a series of high-profile events Oct. 10–17 in observance of the university’s first-ever campus-wide Free Speech Week, part of Chancellor Daniel Diermeier’s recently launched Dialogue Vanderbilt initiative. The event will bring high-profile guests to campus to discuss the current state of free expression and civil discourse. Read More

In a reaffirmation of its commitment to free expression, Vanderbilt University today launched Dialogue Vanderbilt. The initiative aims to provide a range of programs to students, faculty and the broader community to promote civil discourse and better understand and address political polarization. Read More

Justitia, an independent and nonpartisan think tank based in Copenhagen, Denmark, has opened its first U.S. location at Vanderbilt University. The expansion of the "The Future of Free Speech" project, led by Justitia CEO Jacob Mchangama, aims to advance the global culture of free speech. Read More

The Tennessee Legislature has recently garnered national attention with the attempted expulsion of three state representatives—and the eventual expulsion of Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson. The Vanderbilt Project on Unity & American Democracy will host a virtual event on Thursday, April 13, at noon to discuss the broader historical, political and spiritual context and to explore legislative effectiveness at the state level and the potential long-term impacts of last week’s events. Read More

Academic experts and university leaders came together with the VUcept peer mentor group for a candid conversation about freedom of expression on Aug. 22. The discussion centered on the importance of open discourse in providing the necessary conditions for transformative education and pathbreaking research. Read More