The world counts on MIT

"... and we just can't live up to that standard unless we not only permit but encourage open, honest disagreement, debate and dissent." – President Sally Kornbluth

Free Speech Demands our Protection

"[T]he right to freely express our own positions is so precious that it demands our protection – which also requires that we protect it for those whose views we reject.” – President Sally Kornbluth

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We are the MIT Free Speech Alliance

The MIT Free Speech Alliance (MFSA) is an independent nonprofit founded by MIT alumni in 2021 to champion free expression and open inquiry at the Institute. We believe that innovation thrives in an environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed and debated.

Since our founding, we have successfully advocated for speech-protective policies at MIT, including the adoption of the 2022 Statement on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom and the 2024 ban on DEI statements in faculty hiring and promotion.

We foster open dialogue through campus events and debates on challenging topics—including academic DEI programs, systemic racism in STEM, and sex and gender—providing a space where members of the MIT community can engage in meaningful, civil discourse. Our debates, available on YouTube, have garnered significant attention, drawing widespread engagement. We stand with those at MIT who face censorship or sanction for their expression, and we support educational initiatives that strengthen students’ understanding of free expression principles.

With over 1,200 members and growing, we are the largest independent organization of MIT graduates dedicated to restoring MIT as a beacon of free expression—ensuring that it remains a leader in innovation and discovery.

MFSA Debates Return April 30!

Join us as we assemble another stellar team of scholars for a debate on the gender gap in STEM. Free and open to the public!

Upcoming Events

Note: This calendar contains information for MIT Free Speech Alliance Events as well as events by our partner organizations and other campus and community events of note.