Academic freedom

Parliament’s push for better protection at an EU level gathers pace as MEP resolution gears up for final vote in plenary 

Two open letters have been sent to Poland’s president and prime minister in an attempt to prevent the National Science Centre - the main basic research funding agency - from closure

The government withheld funding for a research institute after objecting to the views of one of its scholars. Researchers say this is an attempt ‘to intimidate scholars whose research might result in refutations of opinions held by some politicians’

With violations on the rise, the European Parliament is pressing for EU-level regulation to protect academic freedom. Some research policy experts are not convinced, others think it is needed to stem the rising tide of violations

New threats, such as cancel culture and censoring research by withdrawing funding, are increasing the pressure on universities

A fact-finding trip to Budapest has left MEPs from across the political spectrum uneasy. Their impressions of deteriorating academic freedom and self-censorship are at odds with how government representatives portrayed things

The 2023 comparative scorecard by the European University Association shows the impact state policies have on the autonomy of higher education institutions

Forum is to highlight the extent of the threat by conducting an annual analysis of the limitations put on academics and scientists, and will debate new policies and laws aimed at safeguarding academic freedom in the EU

The Commission is gearing up for the Conference on the Future of Europe, inviting citizens to debate challenges and priorities. But research, education and innovation are not on the agenda - and changing EU treaties to enshrine academic freedom is a taboo subject

As part of the ongoing development of EU research and innovation policy, it is now time to start the debate and support concrete actions to protect academic freedom in Europe