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News
Social work education prepares students by strengthening their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and developing knowledge through research, practice, and scientific inquiry. It prepares students to navigate ideological divides, which are part of everyday life.
CSWE establishes the accreditation framework that identifies the competencies students must achieve in preparation for social work practice. Social work programs retain autonomy over design and delivery of the curriculum to educate social work students at the highest level of professional standards.
Academic freedom is the principal underpinning of higher education. Ideological pressure from outside legislation or legislators that limit course content and curriculum decisions infringe on academic freedom and undermine both educational excellence and social work core values. We believe educators should determine what is appropriate to teach in the classroom, not politicians.
CSWE calls upon social work educators, students, community partners, and allies to protect academic freedom and preserve the capacity of education as a tenet of democracy. If IU’s investigation finds that the complaint lodged against Adams is ideological in nature and nothing more, then we urge the University to quickly reinstate her to her former role.
Published on : November 18, 2025
CSWE Statement on Academic Freedom and the Suspension of Indiana University Professor
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is tracking a developing story from Indiana University (IU) regarding the suspension of Jessica Adams, a lecturer in the IU School of Social Work, from her class, “Diversity, Human Rights, and Social Justice.”Social work education prepares students by strengthening their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and developing knowledge through research, practice, and scientific inquiry. It prepares students to navigate ideological divides, which are part of everyday life.
CSWE establishes the accreditation framework that identifies the competencies students must achieve in preparation for social work practice. Social work programs retain autonomy over design and delivery of the curriculum to educate social work students at the highest level of professional standards.
Academic freedom is the principal underpinning of higher education. Ideological pressure from outside legislation or legislators that limit course content and curriculum decisions infringe on academic freedom and undermine both educational excellence and social work core values. We believe educators should determine what is appropriate to teach in the classroom, not politicians.
CSWE calls upon social work educators, students, community partners, and allies to protect academic freedom and preserve the capacity of education as a tenet of democracy. If IU’s investigation finds that the complaint lodged against Adams is ideological in nature and nothing more, then we urge the University to quickly reinstate her to her former role.