Image: Barrett Taylor (PhD 2012) is quoted extensively in an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education on the University of Florida controversy surrounding the barring of professors to testify in litigation against the state (‘I’m Speechless’: What prompted the U of Florida to tell professors not to testify?) Members of the university administration defended the denials on loose "conflict of interest" claims. "As UF is a state actor, litigation against the state is adverse to UF's interests," wrote Gary Wimsett, assistant vice president for conflicts of interest. Taylor pointed out, "To assert that there is only one interest, and that something might be antithetical to it, is a question at the heart of self governance.” Former IHE postdoc, Brendan Cantwell agrees. He characterized the university's actions as part of a "pattern [of] suppressing faculty engagement in areas of their expertise." In late November, the University softened its stance and created a vetting process that adheres to the 2019 Conflict of Interest Policy and requires university administrators to show real harm if faculty testifies. Full article at :https://www.chronicle.com/article/im-speechless Type of News/Audience: Alumni
