Centre for Free Expression
The Centre for Free Expression at Ryerson University focuses on freedom of expression and the public’s right to know as essential to a democratic and socially just society. Our key issues are intellectual freedom, academic freedom, freedom of the press, hate speech, censorship, disinformation, access-to-information, whistleblower protection, anti-SLAPP legislation, corporate and government surveillance, and campus free speech.
The Centre sponsors public educational events (panels, symposia, conferences, discussions), hosts a widely-read Blog, does research, provides advice, engages in public advocacy, and serves as an intervener in major expressive freedom court cases across Canada . Our work is undertaken in collaboration with academic and community-based organizations across Canada and internationally.
Website:
Whistleblower Protection
Statutory Protections for Research Confidentiality
Measures to Combat Hate Speech, Disinformation, and Conspiracy Theories
Effective Access to Information Laws & Practices
Philosophical Basis for Freedom of Expression
Applicability of the Charter to Universities
Democratic Engagement and Accountability
Intellectual Freedom
Smart Cities/Connected Communities
Impact on Social Media for Democracy
Harassment and Discrimination in the Live Entertainment Industry
Police Secrecy
Director of the Centre for Free Expression
Jim is Director of Ryerson’s Centre for Free Expression. From 1998 to June 2014, he served as Executive Director of the Canadian Association of University Teachers.
Prior to joining CAUT, Jim was an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto, specializing in Canadian Studies, and Director of the Labour Studies Program at University College. He also has been Executive Assistant to the National President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Director of Education for the Ontario Federation of Labour, and Research Director for the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of Canada.
Jim has writes and speaks extensively on academic freedom, intellectual freedom, campus free speech, civil liberties, university governance, commercialization of universities and related public policy issues. His most recent book is an edited collection, Academic Freedom in Conflict: the Struggle over Speech Rights in the University (2014).
Jim is a member of the Steering Committee of the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group and Adjunct Research Professor at the Institute of Political Economy at Carleton University.