Who we are and why we are here
Retired university faculty established the Traveling University (TRU) in response to increasing restrictions on what and how university faculty teach. We are committed to supporting the production and dissemination of knowledge and understanding in the public interest without constraint. When universities allow for restrictions to happen, the public is deprived of essential knowledge and faculty of their academic freedom.
We were inspired to act by Polish dissidents in the 1970s and 1980s who resisted autocratic attacks on their universities. They fought to preserve academic freedom by taking education out of university halls and into their communities. Their “flying universities” offered courses by experts on critical issues banned from public discussion by the authorities.
In that spirit, we offer lectures in Bloomington and beyond on vital topics drawn from the full range of academic disciplines. Past topics include immigration, climate change, public media, and vaccines, among others. We defend academic freedom and the right to learn by creating spaces in our community where community members can learn from experts, knowing that what they are learning is based on current research and scholarship. By so doing, we aim to preserve and disseminate knowledge and understanding that might otherwise be lost.
Traveling University events are open to all. There are no fees, no certificates or diplomas; just the free exchange of ideas in conversations led by knowledgeable faculty in a welcoming environment. All we ask in return is civility and an inquiring mind.
Contact us
Interested in learning more about our lectures? Provide us with a little info and we will keep you in the loop. We can’t wait to hear from you!