Freedom is Foundational to a Healthy Democracy and University Community
Society is better when we learn about and appreciate diverse perspectives.
A University Center in the Office for Research, Innovation & Impact, the Freedom Center provides research, teaching, and programming that is grounded in individual freedom and honors people’s right to constructively disagree.
Our faculty draw from philosophy, politics, economics, law, and ethics to enhance our understanding of the elements that shape individual and societal prosperity. Center scholars also include post-doctoral fellows, Ph.D. students in philosophy, and visiting and research fellows we host from universities worldwide.
The Center’s impact comes through research, publications, graduate education, academic programs, and major community events. In all we do, we are committed to integrating multiple disciplinary perspectives, training critical thinkers and fostering constructive public debate.
Director: Mary L. Rigdon
Associate Director: Saura Masconale
Saura Masconale and Mary L. Rigdon Awarded Templeton Grant to Fund PPEL Undergraduate Summer School, 2024-2027
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Academic Journals
Top 5
Political Philosophy Program
Master of Legal Studies, Law & Economics Concentration
Freedom Center Associate Director & Assistant Professor Saura Masconale, in partnership with the UArizona James E. Rogers College of Law, created the Law & Economics concentration for the Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program. This online program can be pursued full or part-time and is designed to support critical thinking and strengthen democracy. It is the first of its kind in the country to offer a dedicated track for legislators.
Who it’s for:
- Undergraduate students who want to pursue a postgraduate degree
- High school government, economics, and social studies teachers
- Elected officials and public sector professionals
- Private sector professionals who interact with the government or regulatory process
Concentration courses:
- Law & Economics
- Political Economy, Law, and Experimentation
- Law, Economics, and Civil Society,
- Ethics and Economics of Environmental Policy
- The Ethical Entrepreneur.
Scholarships for this program are available for qualified applicants.
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Civil discourse powers progress and learning. Tax-deductible contributions fund scholarships, academic research, educational programs, public events that highlight the importance of freedom to an inclusive society where diversity and differing viewpoints are acknowledged and respected.
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Land Acknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O’odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.