Greg Lukianoff

Greg Lukianoff is an attorney, journalist, author, and activist specializing in free speech, First Amendment rights, and civil liberties. He serves as president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), where he previously held the position of director of legal and public advocacy. Lukianoff earned his undergraduate degree from American University and his law degree from Stanford, focusing on constitutional law and the First Amendment.

Lukianoff has authored several books on free expression and campus speech, including "Unlearning Liberty: Campus Censorship and the End of American Debate," "Freedom From Speech," and "FIRE's Guide to Free Speech on Campus." He co-authored "The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure" with Jonathan Haidt and "The Canceling of the American Mind: Cancel Culture Undermines Trust and Threatens Us All — But There Is a Solution" with Rikki Schlott. He also collaborated with Nadine Strossen on "The War On Words: 10 Arguments Against Free Speech — And Why They Fail." Lukianoff contributed to The Atlantic cover story, "The Coddling of the American Mind," and served as executive producer of the documentary "Can We Take a Joke?" which examines the intersection of comedy and free speech.

Lukianoff's work in free speech advocacy has been recognized with two First Amendment Awards from the Hefner Foundation, including the inaugural Freedom of Expression Award for his efforts defending the First Amendment on college campuses. He has written on free-speech issues for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post, and has appeared on broadcast outlets such as CBS Evening News, Fox & Friends, The Today Show, CNN's New Day, C-SPAN's Washington Journal, and Stossel.

Lukianoff brings a personal perspective to his advocacy, drawing on his experience as a survivor of suicidal depression and the role cognitive behavioral therapy played in his recovery. He has spoken about the parallels between cognitive behavioral therapy and free speech, emphasizing the importance of challenging distorted thinking and the mental health implications of censorship. Lukianoff has testified before the U.S. Senate on free speech issues in higher education, contributing to national conversations on the First Amendment, campus speech, and cancel culture.