Stanford students debate novelist’s invitation over her sex work background
Stanford University’s Structured Liberal Education programme invited novelist Brittany Newell to speak to students, prompting disagreement about whether her background as a professional dominatrix made her a suitable guest. The dispute matters because it raises questions about how universities choose speakers and what kinds of expertise belong in a liberal arts programme.
Newell, 31, graduated from Stanford in 2016 and has published two novels, including *Soft Core*, which draws on her experiences in sex work. The conservative student paper Stanford Review criticised the invitation, while the Stanford Daily defended it, reporting that attendees said her lecture focused on getting a book published rather than dominatrix work. The Daily also argued that philosophers studied at Stanford have had troubling histories.
- Stanford’s invitation to Brittany Newell divided students.
- Critics questioned the lecture’s relevance to the programme.
- Attendees said it focused on publishing a book.
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Stanford’s Structured Liberal Education programme is a course for undergraduates that explores ideas and works across the liberal arts. It sometimes invites speakers to discuss their work and experience with students.
Brittany Newell graduated from Stanford in 2016 and is now a novelist. Her book Soft Core draws on her experience as a professional dominatrix, a role that involves consensual power dynamics between adults. The invitation prompted discussion about whether that experience was relevant to the programme.
The student newspapers took different views: the conservative Stanford Review criticised the invitation, while the Stanford Daily defended it. The debate touches on how universities choose speakers and what kinds of experience and expertise can contribute to students’ learning.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Inviting Newell can be defended as a way to expose students to a published novelist whose work draws on lived experience, while letting the lecture’s literary focus determine its relevance. A liberal arts programme can reasonably include speakers with varied backgrounds and examine their ideas without treating their personal histories as disqualifying.
The case against
The invitation can be questioned on the grounds that a university programme should select guests whose expertise and subject matter clearly serve its educational aims, and students may reasonably debate whether Newell’s background is relevant to that purpose. Raising that question need not imply that her work or experience lacks value; it asks the programme to explain its choice and apply consistent standards to speakers.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Prestigious Stanford University sparks fury after inviting professional dominatrix to lecture students”.