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Podcasts | Intellectual Diversity

Ideological Bias in Academic Research?

July 14, 2026

How biased is academic research? Are some fields more interested in ideological conformity than intellectual diversity and academic freedom? In this episode of Radio Free Campus, co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison discuss the recently released “Vanderbilt Report” on the professional quality of academic research in selected humanities and social science disciplines. The report paints a nuanced picture of the role ideology can play in academic research, but Steve and Justin comment on how that hasn’t stopped opponents of intellectual diversity from dismissing the report out of hand. Steve and Justin also announce Jonathan Turley as this episode’s “Hero of the People” and Russian President Vladimir Putin as RFC’s “Apparatchik of the Month.”

Note: Please check any quotations against the audio recording. A transcript is available upon request. The views expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and may not necessarily reflect those of ACTA.

Radio Free Campus is offered by the Campus Freedom Initiative™ at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni.

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