TB Davie Memorial Lectures

In the classic expression of freedom of speech and assembly, UCT's policy is that our members will enjoy freedom to explore ideas, to express these and to assemble peacefully.

The annual TB Davie Memorial Lecture on academic freedom was established by UCT students to commemorate the work of Thomas Benjamin Davie, vice-chancellor of the university from 1948 to 1955 and a defender of the principles of academic freedom.

Organised by the Academic Freedom Committee, the lecture is delivered by distinguished speakers who are invited to speak on a theme related to academic and human freedom.

Lectures

Lectures and speeches Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy: A View from the Tyhume Valley Prof Sakhela Buhlungu presented UCT’s 57th annual TB Davie Memorial Lecture on Wednesday, 23 August 2023. 23 Aug 2023

Lectures and speeches

Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy: A View from the Tyhume Valley

Prof Sakhela Buhlungu presented UCT’s 57th annual TB Davie Memorial Lecture on Wednesday, 23 August 2023. 23 Aug 2023

News Corporatising universities threatens academic freedom

Professor Fran Baum of the University of Adelaide in Australia delivered the 56th annual TB Davie Memorial Lecture on Wednesday, 24 August.

26 Aug 2022 - 7 min read

Lectures and speeches ‘Ours is to educate, not to captivate’ – Yunus Ballim

Higher education is not meant to provide answers but to shape graduates’ thinking and reasoning abilities in a complex and ambiguous world, said Professor Yunus Ballim.

27 Aug 2021 - 10 min read

Lectures and speeches ‘Economic inequality begets academic inequality’

The 54th TB Davie Memorial Lecture, delivered by Cornell University’s Professor Ravi Kanbur, explored the implications of rising inequality for academic freedom.

06 Aug 2020 - 5 min read

Lectures and speeches ‘Freedom requires suffering and resoluteness’

TB Davie Memorial Lecture presenter Dr Steven Salaita argued that academic freedom allows the investigating of things that might upset others – without fear of retaliation.

08 Aug 2019 - 6 min read

Lectures and speeches ‘Retain, protect and defend academic freedom’

TB Davie Memorial Lecture presenter Professor Pumla Dineo Gqola says it’s time to challenge self-censorship, and both internal and external threats to academic freedom.

16 Aug 2018 - 7 min read

Lectures and speeches Mamdani returns

Universities were at the frontline of the colonial civilising mission. Your task is to subvert that mission, Prof Mahmood Mamdani told his TB Davie Memorial Lecture audience.

24 Aug 2017

Lectures and speeches 'Diverse societies should not curtail free speech'

Kenan Malik delivered the 50th TB Davie Memorial Lecture on academic freedom on 13 August 2015.

14 Aug 2015

Lectures and speeches 'Our freedom is shrinking' - Max du Preez

Max du Preez delivered the 49th TB Davie Academic Memorial Lecture on 28 August.

01 Sep 2014

Lectures and speeches Meddling markets threaten academic freedom, says expert

Professor Jonathan Glover gave the TB Davie Memorial Lecture on 25 July.

26 Jul 2013