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Safe Spaces and Free Speech on Campus: A Guided Tour of Campus Contexts

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Title: Safe Spaces and Free Speech on Campus: A Guided Tour of Campus Contexts
Language: English
Authors: Bryan R. Warnick (ORCID 0009-0008-8968-3712), Jamie Herman (ORCID 0000-0003-3805-3856), Kyle Williams
Source: Educational Theory. 2026 76(2):170-192.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 23
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Freedom of Speech, Campuses, Universities, Safety
DOI: 10.1111/edth.70060
ISSN: 0013-2004
1741-5446
Abstract: Contemporary events on university campuses have spotlighted the perceived conflict between free speech and safe spaces. While both values are widely acknowledged as essential, reconciling them in practice remains difficult. In this article, we argue that universities should not be viewed as singular entities but as a constellation of distinct spaces, each with its own normative context. The appropriate balance between safety and speech depends on the specific functions and values of each space. We first survey philosophical literature on campus speech and safety, noting the often-implicit acknowledgment of spatial diversity. Next, we introduce guiding questions to assist in evaluating how speech and safety should be balanced across different settings. Finally, we tour campus spaces using this framework, proposing that speech and safety exist on a continuum: some areas should support robust free expression, while others should prioritize safety and belonging.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1499379
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: Contemporary events on university campuses have spotlighted the perceived conflict between free speech and safe spaces. While both values are widely acknowledged as essential, reconciling them in practice remains difficult. In this article, we argue that universities should not be viewed as singular entities but as a constellation of distinct spaces, each with its own normative context. The appropriate balance between safety and speech depends on the specific functions and values of each space. We first survey philosophical literature on campus speech and safety, noting the often-implicit acknowledgment of spatial diversity. Next, we introduce guiding questions to assist in evaluating how speech and safety should be balanced across different settings. Finally, we tour campus spaces using this framework, proposing that speech and safety exist on a continuum: some areas should support robust free expression, while others should prioritize safety and belonging.
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