Heather Heying

Heather Heying 01 (cropped)

Heather Heying is an American evolutionary biologist, author, and public speaker known for her work on sexual selection in tropical frogs and her advocacy for free speech in academia. She gained prominence as a professor at Evergreen State College, where she and her husband, Bret Weinstein, were involved in a high-profile controversy in 2017 over free speech and alleged institutional racism, which received national attention.

Early Life and Education

Heather Heying was born in Santa Cruz, California, and developed an early interest in the natural world. She pursued this interest academically, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and later, a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Michigan, where her research focused on the evolution of social and sexual behaviors in neotropical frogs.

Career

After completing her Ph.D., Heying took a position at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, where she taught evolutionary biology and related subjects. Her teaching often emphasized hands-on, field-based learning, reflecting her belief in the importance of direct engagement with the natural world for understanding biological principles.

In 2017, Heying and her husband Bret Weinstein became central figures in a controversy at Evergreen State College. The dispute arose over a planned "Day of Absence," during which white people were encouraged to leave campus to facilitate discussions on race and equity. Weinstein's objection to this event, expressed in an email to faculty and staff, sparked protests and calls for his resignation. Heying supported Weinstein's stance, arguing that the event and the response to Weinstein's email were indicative of broader issues of free speech and ideological conformity in academia. The couple subsequently resigned from their positions, citing concerns for their safety and a hostile work environment.

Public Speaking and Writing

Following their departure from Evergreen, Heying and Weinstein have become prominent figures in discussions about free speech, academic freedom, and the intellectual dark web, a loosely affiliated group of academics, writers, and commentators who discuss controversial topics outside of mainstream media channels. They co-host the podcast "DarkHorse Podcast," where they discuss a wide range of topics, including evolutionary biology, politics, and culture.

Heying has also written extensively on biology, evolution, and the intersection of science and society. Her work emphasizes the importance of evolutionary principles in understanding human behavior and societal structures.

Personal Life

Heather Heying is married to Bret Weinstein. The couple's shared experiences at Evergreen State College and their subsequent public engagement with issues of free speech and academic freedom have made them both controversial and influential figures in contemporary debates over the role of higher education in society.

See Also

• Bret Weinstein
• Evolutionary Biology
• Free Speech in Academia
• Intellectual Dark Web