Your voice matters!

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This survey is designed to understand how people experience support, disagreement, and silencing across different contexts — personal, professional, political, and social — especially regarding discussions about Palestine.

We welcome all viewpoints. Your honest perspective matters.

You are under no obligation to fill this survey and are free to stop at any time during the process. Given that your submission remains anonymous (email addresses aren't collected), we are not able to remove your submission after it has been submitted. If you are concerned about anonymity, please make sure not to submit any identifying information in the open text boxes.

Survey results will be published on the Academics for Palestine WA Substack and shared with the various organisations promoting and assisting in the administering of the survey.

Contact: academics4palestine_wa@proton.me
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1. In general, how comfortable do you feel expressing your opinions on political topics unrelated to Palestine? (on a scale of 1 to 7)* This field is required.We are interested in gauging if you feel 'free to speak your mind' in general, not in relation to Palestine.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Not comfortable
Comfortable
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2. On a scale of 1 to 7, how free have you felt in the last 12 months to express your views (speech or symbols) about a political or social issue unrelated to Palestine without fear of negative reactions?* This field is required.We are interested in gauging if you have noticed a change in your perceived freedom to 'speak your mind' recently, broadly speaking, not in relation to Palestine.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Not Free
Free
4
3. If you feared negative reactions, which settings made you most hesitant to speak? (choose three maximum)* This field is required.
I am not hesitant, I feel at ease in all these settings
Workplace
Tertiary institution (university, TAFE, etc.)
School
Family
Friends
Social gatherings
Online platforms (social media, forums, etc.)
Other
5
4. In the last 12 months, have you personally felt silenced or censored by an institution when discussing any of the following topics? (choose three maximum)* This field is required.We are interested in gauging your perception of censorship/silencing, not your determination to resist or comply.
I have not felt silenced on any topic
Race and ethnicity
Religion
Gender or sexuality
Environmental issues
Economic issues (e.g. poverty, inequality, etc)
Human rights issues
National politics
International conflicts
Palestine specifically
Other
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5. On a scale of 1 to 7, how free have you felt in the last 12 months to express your views on Palestine without fear of negative consequences?* This field is required.We are interested in gauging your perception of the level of censorship/silencing, not your determination to resist or comply.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Not Free
Free
7
6. In the last 12 months, did you ever feel there were personal risks associated with voicing your opinion on Palestine? (tick a box OR detail your answer under 'other')We are interested in gauging your perception of the level of censorship/silencing, not your determination to resist or comply.
I have often felt there were risks associated with voicing my opinion on Palestine
I have occasionally felt there were risks associated with voicing my opinion on Palestine
I have never felt there were risks associated with voicing my opinion on Palestine
I am not sure about the risks but I feel like I 'self-silence'
I am not sure / I don't engage on this topic
Other
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7. In the last 12 months, were you ever actually silenced when voicing your opinion on Palestine (i.e. told not to speak, asked not to wear or hold symbols and slogans associated with Palestine, prevented from accessing an otherwise accessible platform)? (tick a box OR detail your answer under 'other')We are interested in censorious/silencing injunctions, not your resistance/compliance to them.
I have been actually silenced
I have not been actually silenced
I have not been actually silenced but I 'self-silence'
Other
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8. In the last 12 months, what is the primary reason you have restricted the expression of your views about Palestine? (Choose maximum two)* This field is required.
I have never restricted my views about Palestine
Fear of direct professional consequences (e.g., losing a job, missing a promotion)
Fear of disciplinary measures in an educational setting (e.g. university expulsion, school detention, etc.)
Fear of social consequences (e.g. losing friends, alienating family)
Fear of social harassment or personal attacks (e.g. public shaming, reputation, etc)
Fear of violent harassment and personal attacks (e.g. threats or actual physical violence)
Fear of legal consequences
Internal uncertainty about your views
Other
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9. In the last 12 months, what has been your preferred way to express your views on Palestine safely? (choose two maximum)* This field is required.
Private conversations with trusted people
Anonymous online posts
Public social media posts under real name
Art, writing, or creative expression
Protests or activism
I prefer not to express my views
Other
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10. In the last 12 months, have you personally been subjected to negative comments, stereotypes, or discrimination because of your actual or perceived Palestinian or Arab background? (tick a box OR detail your answer under 'other')
I do not have actual or perceived Arab background
Yes, often
Yes, occasionally
Yes, rarely
No
Other
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11. Which of the following apply to you?* This field is required.
Student at a higher education institution
Academic staff at a higher education institution
Professional staff at a higher education institution
Not employed
Under 18
Employed in other sector than education (please specify under 'other'; e.g. healthcare, retail, etc.)
Other
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12. Do you identify as (select all that apply):* This field is required.
Prefer not to say
Indigenous or Torres Straight Islander Australian
Person of Colour
White
Christian
Muslim
Jewish
Atheist
Arab
Palestinian
Israeli
Asian
Immigrant
Expatriate
Australian
LGBTQIA+
Male
Female
Other
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13. Politically speaking, what label suits you best?
Supportive of Israel
Supportive of Palestine
Supportive of international law / human rights
No label
Other
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14. What State or Territory do you live in?* This field is required.
ACT
NT
NSW
QLD
SA
VIC
WA
Prefer not to say
Other
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15. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experiences of feeling silenced, or about your identity and how it affects your ability to express yourself publicly? Feel free to specify which institution you work or study at, etc. but beware that this information could make it easier to identify you. (Open text box)
Should be Empty: