In the first lecture since 2022, David Rabban will present “The First Amendment Right of Academic Freedom” from noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 26 at the College of Law and via livestream.
Rabban will discuss the emergence and development of academic freedom as a First Amendment right, as well as recent events that have challenged prevailing interpretations of this right.
A professor at the University of Texas at Austin, his work focuses on free speech, academic freedom, higher education and the law, and American legal history.
Prior to joining Texas Law, he served as counsel to the American Association of University Professors for several years, later serving as its general counsel and as chair of its committee on academic freedom and tenure.
He was a fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation in 2016 and of the Program in Law and Public Affairs at Princeton University from 2016-17.
Rabban is delivering the lecture as a Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar.
This event is open to the public.
RSVP before Feb. 20 to attend.
The Ihlenfeld Lecture, established in honor of West Virginia lawyer and public servant Charles L. Ihlenfeld, brings distinguished speakers to lecture on public service and ethics at the College of Law.
Its return marks the revival of one of the College of Law’s signature lecture series.