Interim Dean and Professor Emily Knox is among the five professors at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who have been named 2025 University Scholars in recognition of their achievements in teaching, scholarship, and service.
The program honors faculty excellence and provides $15,000 to each scholar for three years to enhance their academic careers. That money may be used for travel, equipment, research assistants, books or other purposes.
"The University Scholars program honors the outstanding accomplishments of these distinguished individuals," said Nicholas Jones, executive vice president and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Illinois System. "Our faculty form the bedrock of a premier academic environment—one that not only advances societal progress but also attracts top-tier students and researchers from around the world to our universities."
"The University Scholars embody the highest standards of academic excellence," he continued. "Given the breadth and depth of scholarly work across our three campuses, and our ongoing commitment to recruiting and supporting exceptional educators and researchers, every recipient of this award has earned this recognition through truly commendable work."
Knox has dedicated much of her professional life to advocating for intellectual freedom, the freedom to read and the importance of libraries to communities. Her research uniquely examines censorship as a constellation of social practices, focusing on the justifications and discourse of those who seek to restrict access to information.
Knox's scholarship in these topics culminated in her appearance as an expert witness before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary during its hearing on book bans in September 2023. She won the 2023 Eli M. Oboler Prize for best published work in the area of intellectual freedom and has received numerous national teaching awards. As a celebrated educator and curriculum innovator, Knox also played a vital role in developing the iSchool's undergraduate program and serves in leadership roles in major national organizations and university committees.
"I am truly honored by this recognition from the University of Illinois System," said Knox. "It is a pleasure to be in the company of past University Scholars from the iSchool, including Ann Bishop, Betsy Hearne, Donald Krummel, and F. W. Lancaster. As we work to transform our School for the twenty-first century, I hope to see this list grow as more of our faculty are recognized for their scholarship."