Academic Freedom Does Not Require Funder Neutrality
Do funding priorities restrict academic freedom? Or can setting clear boundaries between funder problems & the answers academia can provide be productive?
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Six Principles for Supporting Academic Freedom in Universities
Six Principles for Supporting Academic Freedom in Universities
Many academics are concerned about threats to independent enquiry in higher education. Here's how it can be protected while taking legitimate concerns into account.
Brazil and Hungary Buck the Trend on Academic Freedom
The latest Scholars at Risk Free to Think report shows academic freedom continues to be under increasing attack in many countries. But erosion of academic freedom could be reversed by new governments.
Higher Education Leaders Voice Fears over Far-right State Poll Victory
Higher Education Leaders Voice Fears over Far-right State Poll Victory
Alarmed by the victory of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in an east German state government election, major higher education organisations have made urgent pleas to uphold academic freedom.
Science Agencies Pull 'Political Interference' Protections From Scientific Integrity Policies
Science Agencies Pull 'Political Interference' Protections From Scientific Integrity Policies
NSF and the Department of Commerce have scrubbed references to the dangers of political interference in science from official agency policy documents.
Violent Repression and Government Overreach Fuel Global Decline in Academic Freedom, Free to Think 2026 Report Finds
Violent Repression and Government Overreach Fuel Global Decline in Academic Freedom, Free to Think 2026 Report Finds
Violent state repression and government interference in university autonomy lead the global decline in academic freedom, according to Scholars at Risk’s (SAR) Free to Think 2026 report.
Standing Together for Academic Freedom: Leopoldina Signs Position Paper of the Berlin Research Network
Standing Together for Academic Freedom: Leopoldina Signs Position Paper of the Berlin Research Network
The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina has signed the position paper Free Science – Successful Economy – Strong Germany, published today by the Berlin Research Network.
White House Calls for Science Funding Shake-Up
A new OSTP report recommends channeling funding to researchers with big ideas, not elite universities.
The US ‘Golden Age’ Science Strategy: What Europeans Need to Know
The US ‘Golden Age’ Science Strategy: What Europeans Need to Know
Is it a good faith attempt to fix problems in academia, or a smokescreen for cuts to universities and political control over science?
German Research Funder Issues Warning over Threats to Academic Freedom
German Research Funder Issues Warning over Threats to Academic Freedom
External influences - such as politics, funding and the media - are increasingly putting the autonomy of research under pressure.
Science as Europe’s Fifth Fundamental Freedom: Joint Statement by the Leopoldina, the ERC and Four European Academies
Science as Europe’s Fifth Fundamental Freedom: Joint Statement by the Leopoldina, the ERC and Four European Academies
Europe can only deliver on its ambitions with research and innovation, proposes, among other things, establishing the free movement of knowledge as a fifth European freedom, alongside the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital.
Academic Freedom for the Win; Open Access Mandate in Germany Declared Unconstitutional
Academic Freedom for the Win; Open Access Mandate in Germany Declared Unconstitutional
A German court ruled against a mandatory article deposit requirement under Germany's "secondary publication right" (SPR).
Thousands of Scientists Sign Letter to Combat Science Board's Firing
Thousands of Scientists Sign Letter to Combat Science Board's Firing
Thousands of Scientists Sign Letter to Combat Science Board's Firing: The signatories, including more than 35 Nobel laureates, decry the "alarming attack on the ability of the US to engage in basic and applied research"
Call for EU to Leverage Academic Freedom in Global Talent Race
If not for money, disgruntled researchers from around the world might still come to Europe for a taste of academic freedom
Science Under Threat Around the World
Politicians have reduced public funding for science and dismantled scientific institutions for ideological reasons in Argentina and the United States; how should the scientific community respond to such crises?
Serbia’s National Research Fund ‘on Hiatus’ as Researchers Face Delays in Grant Evaluation
Serbia’s National Research Fund ‘on Hiatus’ as Researchers Face Delays in Grant Evaluation
Competitive funding is breaking down just a few years after it was set up using EU and World Bank money.
NIH Grant Cuts Disproportionately Hit Minority and Female Scientists
NIH Grant Cuts Disproportionately Hit Minority and Female Scientists
A survey reveals sharp divides in who bore the brunt of last year's spree of grant cancellations by the Trump administration.
‘Academic Huxit.’ Hungarian Researchers Speak out on Impact of EU Ban
‘Academic Huxit.’ Hungarian Researchers Speak out on Impact of EU Ban
Being frozen out of Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ for over three years has taken its toll on the country’s academics.
The Costs of Limiting Academic Freedom
Following the UK High Court's decision on academic freedom, Chirantan Chatterjee explains how narrowing academic debate negatively impacts the wider economy.
EU Research Funding Should Do More to Support Scholars at Risk, Advocates Say
EU Research Funding Should Do More to Support Scholars at Risk, Advocates Say
Afghanistan is the latest test case for how Europe helps researchers threatened at home or fleeing abroad.
Academic freedom declines in US and 49 other countries, survey finds
Academic freedom declines in US and 49 other countries, survey finds
The US has seen a particular drop in university autonomy, which has fallen by 50% in the past decade, faster than several countries moving toward autocracy
Orbán Election Defeat Brings Hope Hungary’s Horizon Europe Ban Will Be Lifted
Orbán Election Defeat Brings Hope Hungary’s Horizon Europe Ban Will Be Lifted
Hungarian academics are hopeful that an EU ruling banning 30 institutions, including 21 universities, from Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ will finally be lifted with the election of a new government.
Orbán Defeat Seen as ‘Victory for Democracy’ and Universities
European universities celebrate opportunity for Hungarian institutions to restore academic freedom.
Academic Freedom Under Pressure: What Academic Publishers Can Do
Academic Freedom Under Pressure: What Academic Publishers Can Do
This post is an urgent call to push back against global trends in academic censorship and threats to free speech in scholarly communications.
Podcast: Wissenschaft Unter Druck - Trumps Angriffe Auf US-Universitäten
Podcast: Wissenschaft Unter Druck - Trumps Angriffe Auf US-Universitäten
Seit Donald Trump wieder Präsident ist, hat sich die Lage an US-Universitäten drastisch verändert: Studierende fürchten Abschiebungen, Wissenschaftler verlieren ihre Stellen und wichtige Forschungsprojekte werden gestrichen.
The Unmaking of the American University
For decades, research universities have relied on federal funding, with no guarantee that it will last. Now their survival may depend on compliance with the government.
The Future Is Not Written. It Is Ours to Create.
After one year of President Trump's second term, let's challenge ourselves to imagine and bring to life a much, much better future.
The State of the Science 1 Year On: Academia and Research
The past year was a shock to the U.S. higher education system. The coming year may see even more jolts.
Race for the ERA Act Begins As MEP Unveils Early Proposal
The European Parliament has started work on a proposal pre-empting the European Research Area (ERA) Act due to be put forward by the European Commission in 2026. The move is an attempt to set the terms of the debate, calling in particular for a dedicated legislative proposal protecting scientific freedom.
Research Breakthroughs Often Come Through Collaborations − Attacks on Academic Freedom Threaten This Vital Work
Research Breakthroughs Often Come Through Collaborations − Attacks on Academic Freedom Threaten This Vital Work
Academic freedom grew strongly after World War II, with greater university funding, protections and autonomy, yet global data now shows a decline.
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