School of Information Studies Assistant Professor Dr. Sarah Beth Nelson recently participated in an EveryLibrary Institute webinar series, discussing her recent publication within The Political Librarian: “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave: Maximizing Free Speech in Brave Spaces to Support Diversity.”
Co-written with her husband, Attorney John Nelson, Dr. Nelson explores how “brave space” practices can help institutions support both free speech and diversity without treating them as competing values. “Brave spaces” are defined as a learning environment where the goal is truth-seeking and open dialogue, and participants are expected to engage honestly and respectfully across differences. In these spaces, discomfort is accepted and often necessary for meaningful conversations about identity, power, and inequality.
The Nelsons argue that “intentional brave spaces are needed to fully include diverse individuals”. Their work outlines the legal foundations of free expression in public settings while emphasizing the importance of open dialogue in diverse communities. By using strategies such as “calling in” instead of “calling out”, acknowledging harmful speech, and encouraging participation, brave spaces can strengthen both inclusion and free speech.
Read the full article here: https://journals.library.wustl.edu/pollib/article/id/9148/
Watch the webinar: The Political Librarian “In Conversation” – Land of the Free, Home of the Brave – YouTube