MIT linguistics professor Michel DeGraff says the university has rejected another course proposal, extending an ongoing dispute over his efforts to teach subjects related to language, decolonisation and Palestine. The latest rejection has added to tensions between DeGraff and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) over academic freedom and his teaching responsibilities.
MIT removed DeGraff from its linguistics section in late 2024, citing what the university described as disruptive conduct. However, DeGraff has challenged the decision, alleging that the university’s actions were politically motivated and violated his academic freedom. The disagreement has since developed into a legal dispute, with both sides presenting different accounts of the circumstances surrounding his removal.
DeGraff filed a federal lawsuit against MIT in March 2026, accusing the institution of retaliating against him and restricting his ability to teach certain subjects. His concerns involve his proposed courses addressing language, decolonisation and Palestine, topics that have become central to the dispute. The professor maintains that the university’s actions raise concerns about the protection of academic freedom and the ability of educators to explore politically sensitive issues in an academic setting.
MIT has denied DeGraff’s allegations and asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit. The university’s position contrasts with the professor’s claims of political retaliation, leaving the dispute to be addressed through the legal process. The court has yet to resolve the competing claims based on the information provided.
Despite being removed from the linguistics section, DeGraff remains employed by MIT. He is also scheduled to teach two courses during the spring semester, indicating that his employment at the university continues even as the disagreement over his teaching role and course proposals remains unresolved.
The rejection of his latest course proposal marks another development in the ongoing conflict. It has renewed attention on the boundaries of academic freedom, particularly when professors seek to examine politically sensitive subjects such as Palestine and colonialism.
The dispute also raises broader questions about the relationship between university policies, faculty responsibilities and the freedom to pursue academic inquiry. While DeGraff argues that MIT’s actions amount to political retaliation, the university maintains that his removal was based on conduct-related concerns.
For now, the disagreement remains unresolved, with DeGraff continuing his employment and preparing to teach two spring courses while his federal lawsuit proceeds. The outcome of the legal case could determine how the competing allegations are addressed and may have implications for the wider debate over academic freedom in higher education.
