Dr. Brent Stockwell is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Biological Sciences, Chair of the Department Biological Sciences, and a Professor of Chemistry and of Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia. Outside of his research, teaching, and service to Columbia, Dr. Stockwell sought to create dialogue among those with divergent views. He wrote an op-ed in the Columbia Spectator with a colleague with whom he disagreed but found common ground in the analysis of the basis for their disagreements. He has spoken about the importance of establishing consistent policies on campus speech, especially amid pressure to conform to a majority viewpoint.
Dr. Stockwell is a respectful and good faith listener and has always been a member of the Columbia community first and a participant in debates on controversial topics second. His words and actions are carefully edited to reflect the common humanity and membership in a very special academic community he shares with his listeners. He has always been a colleague with whom you can respectfully disagree and learn from, and who speaks up even when the majority disagrees with him.
Dr. Stockwell had financial support for his research in the biomedical sciences halted by the Trump administration. Many Columbia scientists suffered the same fate, and some were harder hit than he was. But the contrast between getting Columbia past our troubles and harming the scientific research of someone who was contributing in such a positive way makes Dr. Brent Stockwell an excellent recipient of our award.
For his consistent practice of open and respectful discourse even on difficult topics, the Columbia Academic Freedom Council is proud to present our colleague Dr. Brent Stockwell with the 2025 Academic Freedom Award.
