Open Inquiry in Higher Ed and Medicine: Challenges and Remedies

Jeffrey S. Flier, MD

Former Dean, Harvard Medical School

Board Chair, Heterodox Academy

Jeffrey S. Flier, MD, a national leader in higher education, has written that universities are facing both a “crisis of confidence” from the American public, and an internal “culture of self-silencing [that] replaces vigorous engagement,” but that these threats present a rare opportunity for growth. Flier advocates for a return to academia’s foundational strengths of intellectual freedom and truth-seeking through open inquiry to foster informed, vibrant, and compassionate exchanges of ideas. He will share recommendations, hard-won lessons, and insights for how to achieve honest engagement across our community, and why it’s so important that we do this work now. Flier’s talk will be followed by a Q&A with YSM Dean Nancy J. Brown, MD.

Flier was Dean of Harvard Medical School (HMS) from 2007 to 2016. This past year, he chaired HMS’s Open Inquiry Working Group, whose April 2026 report framed open inquiry “as a proactive habit and an aspiration without end.” Flier is Board Chair for Heterodox Academy (HxA), a non-partisan, non-profit membership organization committed to advocating principles of viewpoint diversity and constructive disagreement in higher education. Flier is Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor and the George Higginson Professor of Physiology and Medicine.

Space is limited; please RSVP. This event will be in-person only. Registrants are invited to submit questions in advance. For accessibility requests, see event details.

The organizing committee welcomes all members of the Yale School of Medicine and Yale University communities.