Sarah McLaughlin
FIRE Staff Speaker
Senior Scholar, Global Expression
Communications Team
Sarah graduated magna cum laude from Drexel University in 2014 with a B.S. in political science and a minor in history. In 2012, Sarah began working with FIRE as a Program Assistant through Drexel’s cooperative education program and remained on FIRE’s staff for through the rest of her undergraduate career. After graduation, Sarah defended students and faculty facing censorship in FIRE’s Individual Rights Defense Program, where she worked for five years. She is now Director of FIRE’s Targeted Advocacy program, where she focuses on U.S. universities’ relationship with international threats to free speech and art censorship. Her writing about free speech issues, including protest and blasphemy laws, has been featured in publications including Foreign Policy, Artsy, The Huffington Post, and New York Daily News.
Recent Writings
- Questions remain after MIT asserts it canceled Pompeo’s speech due to COVID-19 restrictions,
- FIRE investigates allegations MIT canceled Mike Pompeo speech about China,
- Censorship in India exposes the gap between ‘free speech’ and the law,
- We must stand up to Iran’s threats to free speech,
- Arrest of student in Boston a grim reminder of the danger facing Chinese dissidents on campus ,
- Free speech isn’t a contender at the 2022 World Cup,
- Protests are sweeping heavily censored China. How will American institutions respond?,
- Violent attack at Manchester Chinese Consulate a grim reminder of the fragility of free speech ,
- George Washington University recants promise to uncover Chinese government critics after artist’s satirical Olympics posters appear on campus,
- Voicing academic freedom concerns, Cornell faculty push for greater role in university’s global expansion plans ,
- Thai student government calls for recognition of International Day for the Protection of Students’ Freedom of Expression,
- Amidst ethics controversies, University of Cambridge releases principles on international engagement. When will U.S. universities do the same?,
- Academic freedom, freedom of expression under the spotlight in international higher education,
- Northwestern faculty debate academic freedom abroad amid changes to faculty handbook,
- Free expression and academic freedom must guide new federal focus on international higher education,
- University of Cambridge planning massive deal with the UAE, which jailed a UK doctoral student in 2018,
- New report on China’s repression in Australian higher education a warning to U.S. universities,
- Bard College labeled ‘undesirable foreign organization’ in Russia, the newest troubling development in international higher education,
- Global classrooms, authoritarianism without borders: The new era of campus speech suppression,
- Despite community opposition and international ethics guidelines, Cornell University moves forward with new dual degree program in China,
- Pressure continues against campus critics of China,
- The local impact of foreign censorship laws,
- Zoom cancels another academic event with Leila Khaled, again raising questions about company’s role in the classroom ,
- Zoom announces much-needed protections for academic freedom, but new policy already faces a test,
- Cornell community escalates challenges to proposed dual degree program in China,
- Apology for anti-Asian bigotry statement at Carnegie Mellon highlights difficulty of discussing China on campus,
- Arizona State University endorses principles from United Nations report on academic freedom,
- Citing free speech concerns, Cornell faculty challenge proposal for new university partnership in China,
- More than ever, student journalists must be on the lookout for censorship,
- Pressure grows on universities to address Zoom academic freedom concerns,
- House Resolution calls for global abolishment of blasphemy laws; U.S. colleges with overseas campuses should take note,
- Brandeis panel on Uyghur Muslims faces calls for cancellation, Zoombombing,
- The United Nations is taking notice of academic freedom. FIRE is asking hundreds of colleges to do the same.,
- The future of student journalism is at risk in Hong Kong,
- FIRE submission cited in timely U.N. report defending academic freedom,
- In light of need for academic freedom protections, UK academics weigh in on university partnerships in authoritarian countries,
- Tracking the growing challenges surrounding campus discussions of China,
- The freedom to read and openly discuss literature is still at risk today,
- More universities are responding to the challenges of online education and China, but the results are a mixed bag,
- Some U.S. universities are adjusting to censorship threats posed by China,
- Academic freedom is on the decline in Hong Kong. U.S. universities must acknowledge that.,
- ICE’s broad policy on international students and online teaching has been rescinded, but incoming freshmen are still impacted,
- ICE rescinds policy forcing out international students in all-online classes,
- FIRE on ICE policy: Requiring students to return to unfree countries will import censorship to American classrooms,
- Universities should reassess Hong Kong partnerships after imposition of National Security Law ,
- Free speech coalition warns Zoom: China’s censorship requests could impact online teaching,
- Groups put renewed focus on suppression of speech critical of China on American and Canadian campuses,
- FIRE condemns threats to academic freedom in comment for United Nations study,
- Report: Harvard Law School administrator canceled 2015 event on dissent in China,
- Charges against University of Queensland student show universities still struggle with protest about Hong Kong and China,
- University College Dublin working group considered eroding academic freedom policy to accommodate ‘large international footprint’,
- March Madness: First Amendment Edition,
- Northwestern University in Qatar partner claims controversial event was canceled due to ‘Qatari laws’, ‘cultural and social customs’,
- Northwestern University cancels event featuring openly gay musician on Qatar campus,
- After controversy over dissent program’s cancellation at Singapore campus, Yale faculty call for academic freedom protections,
- University of Minnesota student’s arrest in China a warning to international students abroad,
- American campuses can play a vital role in battling censorship of debates about China,
- As student debates about Hong Kong continue, U.S. universities must be prepared to respond to free speech controversies ,
- NYU Shanghai’s mandatory course for Chinese citizens raises more questions about satellite campuses’ independence,
- Coalition concerned over visa denials’ effect on academic freedom, free speech,
- Studying or teaching abroad? Check out FIRE’s interactive map of American satellite campuses,
- Getting it right: Cornell’s new ethics guidelines stress importance of expressive rights in international collaborations,
- Academics petition Hong Kong in response to campus clashes with police,
- Wesleyan University ends consideration of joint venture with Chinese partners,
- Scholars at Risk report addresses complex challenges facing higher education in China,
- Another academic alleges viewpoint discrimination in denial of entry to U.S.,
- Yale-NUS College cancels program on dissent, prompting internal investigation,
- FIRE releases know-your-rights guides in Arabic, Chinese, and Spanish,
- Ismail Ajjawi, a freshman initially denied entry to the U.S., begins classes at Harvard,
- Another troubling denial at the border, this time for an incoming Harvard freshman,
- Self-censorship at the border,
- American University in Cairo responds to allegations of academic freedom violations, but says little,
- FIRE joins coalition concerned about FBI-backed monitoring of Chinese students, scholars,
- Newly-released documents draw attention to China’s uneasy relationship with universities,
- FBI issues troubling advisory suggesting colleges should surveil Chinese academics,
- Social media policy for visa applicants could chill speech of international students,
- Another US visa denial to campus speaker raises viewpoint discrimination concerns,
- NYU’s Abu Dhabi campus continues to face questions about academic freedom,
- After viewpoint-based denial, Williams Initiative for Israel finally receives recognition,
- Williams College Council denies recognition to pro-Israel student group,
- Co-founder of BDS movement denied entry to US ahead of campus speaking events,
- Cancellation of Columbia University event on Turkey’s rule of law raises questions,
- Human Rights Watch issues recommendations for colleges facing Chinese government censorship,
- UC Davis confirms professor will not be investigated for years-old tweets amid legislative pressure,
- Public records request shows Polk State College consulted law enforcement over faculty artwork,
- California assemblyman calls for UC Davis professor’s firing, claims it ‘isn’t a First Amendment issue.’ (It is.),
- FIRE warns University of California, Davis against investigating professor’s anti-police tweets,
- Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr. falsely claims his university allows free speech. Again.,
- Two U.S. government bodies issue reports on Confucius Institutes,
- Allegheny College student takes down ‘Kill Cops’ artwork after calls for censorship,
- FIRE warns Orange Coast College over removal of students’ gun rights flags [UPDATED],
- Georgetown University doubles down on censorship of religious debate at Qatar campus,
- Civil liberties coalition raises concerns about surveillance of Chinese students intending to study in the United States,
- UC Davis warns students about speech restrictions in China,
- Indiana University Kokomo confirms that once-removed sculptures will remain on display through end of semester,
- Pakistan cites ‘hate speech’ restriction in effort to censor academic freedom petition,
- Temple will not punish Marc Lamont Hill, issues condemnation,
- Resolution reached after free expression coalition expresses concerns about art censorship at CU Boulder,
- FIRE warns Temple against punishing professor Marc Lamont Hill,
- NYU, UK universities urged to rethink ties with United Arab Emirates after academic’s imprisonment,
- Mary Baldwin University learns the wrong lessons from recent art controversy,
- Universities rethink foreign study programs over academic freedom concerns,
- Report: Academics worldwide face frequent, alarming threats,
- Debate suggesting “major religions should portray God as a woman” canceled at Georgetown University in Qatar,
- Cal State Long Beach’s response to anti-police brutality exhibit and firing of director raise questions about artistic freedom,
- When U.S. universities clash with China’s ‘sensitive content’,
- UK universities face criticism over proposed satellite campuses in increasingly authoritarian Egypt,
- FIRE calls on Liberty University’s leadership to end censorship of student press,
- Chicago Statement finds foothold in Australia,
- Best of Newsdesk: On overseas satellite campuses, academic freedom is more often promised than practiced,
- Best of Newsdesk: Students around the world targeted for their advocacy,
- Best of Newsdesk: Is speech suppression at religious colleges 'the invisible free speech crisis?',
- Binghamton University is right to end investigation, but wrong to blame students for littered flyers,
- City College of New York reverses cancellation of pro-Palestine event after pressure from legal groups,
- Is speech suppression at religious colleges 'the invisible free speech crisis?',
- Students around the world targeted for their advocacy,
- UPDATE: Albion student faces upcoming hearing over ‘ANTIFA and ISIS hunting permits’ joke,
- Drexel professor resigns after months-long investigation, exile from campus,
- Controversies on American campuses used to justify censorship of pro-independence sentiments at Hong Kong universities,
- On overseas satellite campuses, academic freedom is more often promised than practiced,
- University of Hartford reportedly warned student against speaking out about mistreatment,
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University revises social media policy after letter from FIRE,
- Banned Books Week: Authors speak out against censorship,
- Wichita State University must end investigation of ‘free house tours’ banner,
- Academic freedom and authoritarianism,
- Victory: Regis University ends investigation into student’s ‘social justice bake sale’,
- What’s caught in the wide net cast by hate speech policies?,
- FIRE raises questions about UCLA lecturer Keith Fink’s firing,
- Does Linfield College respect freedom of expression? We asked — and Linfield didn’t answer,
- Arcadia drops Title IX investigation into professor’s anti-Trump art installation,
- Don’t expect Regis University to live up to its free speech promises,
- Regis University claims it didn’t censor bake sale event, then boasts about how quickly it censored the event,
- University of New Hampshire’s removal of anti-sexual harassment exhibit undermines free speech,
- URGENT: Flagler College student’s planned free speech event tomorrow in jeopardy — school says she’s not approved,
- Santa Clara University says its request that student newspaper remove story was act of “compassion”,
- Dalai Lama faces opposition at UC San Diego,
- Liberty University’s Values and Jerry Falwell Jr.’s Pro-Free Speech Statements Don’t Add Up,
- What Campus Leaders Had To Say About Free Speech This Week [UPDATED],
- Students at Florida State University Show What Campus Dialogue Can Look Like,
- UMass RAs Are Not Amused by Your Harambe Memes,
- Victory: Northwestern University Reverses Course, Recognizes Student Group After Rejection,
- UC Davis Spends $175,000 to Learn About the ‘Streisand Effect’,
- Wesleyan Student Assembly Makes Wise Decision to Remove Student Media Funding from Its Control,
- Florida Atlantic University Student Newspaper Trashed After Reporting on Alleged Sexual Assault at Party,
- Wesleyan Student Assembly Strikes Again,
- Bowdoin College: When It Comes to Sombreros, Do As We Say, Not As We Do (Or We’ll Kick You Out of Your Dorm),
- Student Unjustly Suspended by University of Tulsa Announces Lawsuit,
- University of California Student Leaders: Free Speech Shouldn’t ‘Distract’ from Inclusivity Discussions,
- Wheaton College shows what a 'Warning' school looks like,
- George Washington University Forces Student to Remove Palestinian Flag from Window,
- Missouri Universities Ask Students to Report ‘Hurtful’ Speech to Police,
- Mizzou Professor Demands ‘Muscle’ To Remove Student Journalists; Police Claim ‘Hurtful’ Speech Can Be Punished,
- Hiram College: “Offensive” Anti-Police Statements Should Have Been Censored,
- It’s Already Been a Remarkably Bad Year for Student Press,
- UPDATED: FIRE Writes Wesleyan Student Assembly in Defense of ‘The Wesleyan Argus’,
- Chemerinsky: First Amendment Must Be University of California’s Policy,
- New York Divinity School Disinvites Pro-Palestinian Speaker,
- Wesleyan University Students Want to ‘Boycott’ Student Newspaper by Destroying and Defunding It,
- Students and Regents Demand University of California Adopt Unconstitutional Policy,
- We’re Not Buying Hagerstown Community College’s Excuses for Denying Student Group’s Recognition,
- Public Universities Threaten Students Over Controversial Off-Campus Banners,
- UNC Chapel Hill Apologizes After Campus Police Attempt to Remove Professor’s Sign,
- Firing of LSU Professor Who Used Profanity in the Classroom Raises Concerns,
- The Clock is Ticking for Western Michigan University,
- Students File Suit After Muscatine C.C. Attempts to Chill Newspaper’s Speech,
- University of Georgia’s Reaction to Student’s Off-Campus Arrest Could Chill Speech,
- Is Northern Michigan University Targeting Campus Paper Due to Its Reporting?,
- U. of Maryland’s President Loh Responds to Offensive Email, Remembers First Amendment,
- Penn State Pushes Back Against Students’ and Senator’s Disinvitation Demands,
- Despite Administrative Pushback and Theft, University of Tulsa’s ‘Collegian’ Produces Exceptional Reporting,
- Unable to Suspend Non-Students, University of Tulsa Settles for Hiding Facebook Posts,
- New (and, Fortunately, Failed) Disinvitation Attempts Span Political Spectrum,
- University of Chicago Student Explains Why Free Speech Is a ‘Virtue’ on Campus,
- University of Chicago Student Journalists Lament School’s Support of Free Speech,
- ‘New York Times’ Columnist David Brooks Calls for End to Speech Codes,
- Michigan State President Denies Disinvitation Attempt Against George Will,
- Marywood University, Meet ‘Texas v. Johnson’,
- Oberlin President Discusses Dissent and Censorship Trends on Campus,
- FIRE Asks Lewis & Clark Trustees to Revoke Punishment for Students’ Protected Speech,
- Cornell Students Forget Vandalism Is a Crime, Censor Pro-Palestine Display,
- FIRE’s Catherine Sevcenko Explains the First Amendment to Iowa State,
- At Miami University of Ohio, Students Engage in Debate, Not Disinvitation,
- University of Chicago Plans to Publish Revised Free Speech Policy,
- Victory: Bogus Sanctions Against Pro-Palestinian Group for 'Political' Speech Dropped at Montclair State,
- FIRE’s Azhar Majeed Analyzes Central Michigan University’s Speech Codes,
- FIRE at the Students for Sensible Drug Policy Conference This Weekend!,
- ‘Gawker’ Offers Short Guide for Free Speech on Campus,
- ‘Las Vegas Review-Journal’ Tells UNLV to Commit to Free Speech ,
- Over 1,000 Newspapers Stolen at Auburn University ,
- Arizona Legislators Write to U. of Arizona in Defense of Academic Freedom,
- Advocacy Groups Face Discrimination at Johns Hopkins University,
- FIRE Has Seen Notre Dame’s Redundancy Argument Before,
- FIRE Speakers at 2014 AAUP Conference,
- Don't Save the Date: NYT, WSJ, Fox, MSNBC, NPR Cover ‘Disinvitation Season’,
- Lewis & Clark College Stays Silent on Racial Harassment Charges,
- Will ‘Disinvitation Season’ Become ‘Re-invitation Season’?,
- UC Berkeley Should Commemorate the ‘Free Speech Movement’ By Becoming a ‘Green Light’ School,
- FIRE’s ‘Spotlight’ Database Featured in New ACTA Report,
- Bergen Administrators Fear ‘Game of Thrones’ Quote, Censor Professor,
- Protest of Transgender Student’s Treatment Could Be Threatened by College’s Free Speech Zone,
- Another Student Preacher Faces Punishment for Controversial Message,
- Former FIRE Intern Asks ‘Daily Targum’ Board of Trustees to Respect Student Rights,
- A Call for Clarion University to Reform Its Speech Codes,
- Register Soon to Meet FIRE at the 2014 International Students For Liberty Conference!,
- University of Richmond Student Understands Free Expression Better Than Her College,
- Five Reasons to Apply for FIRE's Summer Internship,
- Two Months Left to Apply to FIRE's Paid Summer Internship!,
- Mary Beth Tinker Discusses Student Rights, Modesto Junior College Incident with 'USA Today College',
- Western Kentucky University Students Take Steps to Obtain Better Spotlight Rating,
- Students Discuss Their FIRE Cases at 2013 CFN Conference (VIDEO),
- Join Us at Students For Liberty's 2013 Regional Conferences!,
- Johns Hopkins Student Asks School to Restore Its Reputation for Free Expression,
- Five Reasons You Should Attend FIRE's Fall 2013 Webinar Series,
- 'Huffington Post' Slideshow Highlights New Video, Student Defeats of 'Free Speech Zones',
- Kent Innovation High School Students Are Learning Liberty,
- The National Constitution Center's Constitution Day Celebration: For Cake and Constitution Lovers Alike,
- Greg Lukianoff on Changes in Campus Free Speech in 'The Huffington Post',
- 'Red Light' Florida Atlantic University Promises to Promote Free Speech,
- UMass Chancellor: Campus Leaders Must Encourage Debate, Not Censorship,
- Steven Pico, Supreme Court Victor, on Book Banning in Schools,
- LSU Ends 'Free Speech Alley',
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