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Intellectual Independence Policy

The Center for International Relations and International Security (CIRIS) is an independent organization committed to generating ideas and cultivating debate on international relations theory and policy issues. Our staff, volunteers, and members represent a diverse community, united by our mission to research and promote the fields of International Relations and International Security, grounded in the principles of intellectual freedom and integrity.

CIRIS embodies a network of independent researchers, students, and professionals who:

  • Promote the fields of International Relations and International Security,
  • Conduct and publish research in peer-reviewed journals,
  • Provide education to professionals and students in these fields of study.

Political Engagement and Intellectual Freedom

In alignment with the values enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, particularly the First Amendment, CIRIS affirms the freedom of speech and expression for all its contributors. We believe that open dialogue, even when controversial, is essential to academic progress. However, CIRIS does not endorse specific political views or adopt positions on particular issues as an organization. All views expressed in CIRIS publications represent the authors alone, not the institution.

CIRIS’s staff, volunteers, fellows, and members are encouraged to offer their perspectives on current policy issues, adhering to the freedoms protected under the Constitution, while ensuring that they do so without implying organizational endorsement.

Freedom of Expression and Editorial Responsibility

The First Amendment guarantees the right to free speech, and CIRIS upholds this fundamental right by welcoming diverse opinions in our publications. However, this freedom is balanced by our responsibility to maintain academic rigor and neutrality. While blog posts may be opinion-based, they must adhere to certain principles:

  1. Academic Rigor and Objectivity:
    CIRIS supports the expression of a wide range of opinions, but all contributions must reflect academic rigor. In the spirit of the U.S. Constitution’s respect for truth-seeking and the pursuit of knowledge, submissions should be grounded in evidence and thoughtful analysis. Opinions should not descend into mere speculation or inflammatory rhetoric.
  2. Neutrality in Conflict-Related Topics:
    CIRIS remains neutral on geopolitical, religious, and ideological conflicts. Although we respect the constitutional right of contributors to express their views freely, submissions that disproportionately advocate for one side of an ongoing conflict, or contribute to polarization, will be reviewed carefully. Content must seek to promote understanding and reflection, in line with CIRIS’s mission to foster informed debate.
  3. Commitment to Academic Integrity:
    CIRIS protects the freedom of speech of its contributors, but reserves the right to reject content that fails to meet standards of scholarly inquiry. The U.S. Constitution underscores the importance of responsible freedom, and as such, submissions that lack academic substance or which compromise the integrity of the organization will not be published.
  4. Editorial Discretion:
    CIRIS, while protecting free speech, retains full editorial discretion over what is published. Blog posts are not subject to the same peer review as academic articles, but they must still contribute to informed and thoughtful discourse. Any submission that compromises objectivity or fails to meet editorial standards may be returned for revision or rejected.

External Engagement and Transparency

CIRIS staff are encouraged to engage in external projects that align with their academic pursuits and CIRIS’s mission, consistent with the First Amendment’s protections. When participating in external policy discussions, CIRIS staff should make it clear that they are signing in a personal capacity rather than on behalf of CIRIS as an organization. For transparency, staff members intending to engage in public policy debates should inform the President and Vice President in advance, in keeping with CIRIS’s commitment to openness and integrity.