Academic Conflict, Civility, and Mental Health

This letter to the editor has been written in response to Benjamin et al. and Gard-McGehee’s discussion around the need for system reform in the tourism academy. Recognizing the diversity of opinions that exist around the future of the tourism academy, this paper challenges tourism scholars to approach academic reform through a spirit of civility. The polarization of the tourism academy has led to change often being viewed through an adversarial lens—it is us versus them. But who is “us” and who is “them”? We reflect on this issue and with reference to civility challenge members of the academy to reflect on how they can respect the inherent dignity of every academic, whilst recognizing that academics have a responsibility to pursue their own academic freedom in a way that is respectful of their relationship to the wider academy.