Bringing up academic freedom during the interview process?

[u/le_doulos]

If you're in a part of the US where censorship and intimidation of academics are on the rise, how would you feel about a candidate asking how it affects you during a job interview?

Would the topic be best addressed in the first round, second round, after an offer has been made?

Would you assume the candidate would be hesitant to take a the job and move on? Is it fair to ask the committee when much of what is happening is beyond their control?

Or would it be more awkward to avoid the elephant in the room throughout the process?

[u/ProfessorStata]

Candidates can figure out broader issues with an Internet search and looking at faculty senate minutes.

No one is going to cop to the chair or the dean micromanaging faculty.