ACADEMIC FREEDOM

Academic freedom and institutional autonomy are essential for excellent research and public trust in science. Scholars must be able to pursue their work freely, choose their research agendas, and operate without undue political or external interference. Yet across Europe and beyond, universities, academies, and researchers face increasing pressures that threaten their independence. 

ALLEA works to safeguard academic freedom by supporting member academies under political or financial pressure, engaging with policymakers at the European level, and speaking out globally when researchers’ rights are threatened. Through advocacy, statements, and partnerships, ALLEA promotes an environment where critical inquiry, open debate, and scientific discovery can thrive. 

Integrating Research Security and Academic Freedom

As part of its renewed science-policy structure, ALLEA established the Task Force on Integrating Research Security and Academic Freedom, which explores how research communities can protect themselves against foreign interference and security risks without compromising openness. Its recommendations guide institutions navigating complex challenges, emphasising that research security and academic freedom must go hand in hand. 

Related Activities

Support for Member Academies 

Defending institutions against undue political influence and funding pressures.

Related News

ALLEA Affirms Solidarity with the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts in Light of the Planned Discontinuation of Structural Funding

The Flemish government has announced its intention to discontinue the structural funding of the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts (KVAB) as of 2026. In response to this development, KVAB, a long-standing member academy of ALLEA, has released an open letter addressed to the Flemish government outlining the anticipated implications of this decision and requesting its reconsideration.

ALLEA Co-Organises Flagship Conference on Research Security

From 28-30 October, ALLEA co-organised the European Flagship Conference on Research Security in Brussels, together with the European Commission and 11 other partners.

ALLEA Joined the Newly Launched International Coalition to Support Ukraine’s Research and Innovation Ecosystem 

As the European umbrella organisation representing 60 academies from over 40 countries, ALLEA has consistently advocated for the protection and advancement of scientific cooperation, academic freedom, and the integration of displaced and at-risk researchers.

ALLEA Responds to Continued Attacks on Academic Freedom in the United States

Today, ALLEA has released a new statement in response to the most recent restrictions imposed by the U.S. Administration on the academic sector, re-affirming the importance of upholding the fundamental principles of academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

ALLEA Stands Up for Science in Solidarity with the U.S. Research Community

Today, as the U.S. research community marches to defend science, ALLEA stands in solidarity with researchers around the world in the effort to safeguard academic freedom and protect the integrity of international research collaboration.

European Research Community Joins ALLEA in Standing Up for Academic Freedom and Against Recent U.S. Actions

Almost 50 European organisations endorse ALLEA Statement on the threats to academic Freedom from recent actions by the new U.S. administration.

ALLEA Publishes Statement Responding to Recent U.S. Restrictions on Academic Freedom

On 19 February, ALLEA published a new Statement expressing grave concern over recent developments in the U.S. affecting the autonomy of scientific research, including funding freezes and blatant censorship.

ALLEA Working Group on the ERA Meets at the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters

On 11 October 2024, the ALLEA Working Group (WG) on the European Research Area (ERA) convened at the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters in Copenhagen.

Event report: European Research Collaboration in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape – How Open Can We Be?

ALLEA marked its 30th anniversary with its general assembly in Berlin on 22–23 May 2024. The event featured a public symposium which convened prominent researchers, policymakers, and civil society representatives from across Europe to explore the complexities and opportunities of open research collaboration in today's evolving geopolitical climate.

ALLEA Welcomes Motion for European Parliament Resolution on Freedom of Scientific Research

ALLEA extends support for a recent motion for a resolution to protect the freedom of scientific research in the European Union more effectively. The motion contains a request for an act to create a legal framework aimed at protecting the freedom of scientific research in Europe as defined in the Bonn Declaration.

Statement by the ALLEA Board on the Suspension of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus

In light of the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine initiated by the Russian government and supported by the Belarusian government, ALLEA, the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities, has decided to suspend the membership of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

Statement in Support of Ukraine, its Citizens and Academics

Today, the ALLEA Presidency has released a statement in support of Ukraine, its citizens and academics. The statement is a response to the ongoing military incursion by Russia into the country. ALLEA expresses its deep concern for the safety of our academic colleagues.

ALLEA Endorses Statement Calling for Action to Help Researchers in Afghanistan

ALLEA has endorsed a statement by Scholars at Risk Europe calling on European Governments and EU Institutions to help scholars, researchers, and civil society organisations in Afghanistan. The joint call urges to secure their lives and careers and proposes some concrete recommendations to take action.

Noam Chomsky on Academic Freedom and Intellectual Dissent

US linguist and political activist Noam Chomsky delivered the keynote "The University at Times of Crisis" as part of the international conference "Academic Freedom and Intellectual Dissent" co-organised by Scholars at Risk and ALLEA on 8 June. 

Discussing Academic Freedom with the President of Ireland and Noam Chomsky

ALLEA and Scholars at Risk organised the international virtual conference ‘Academic Freedom and Intellectual Dissent’ with US linguist and political activist Noam Chomsky and the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins as star speakers. The event focussed on the importance of intellectual dissent and academic freedom to democratic societies in a Western, particularly European, context.

Academic Freedom and Intellectual Dissent

This conference on 8 June will focus on the importance of intellectual dissent and academic freedom to democratic societies in a Western, particularly European, context. The speakers and the panel will discuss the scope and the limits of academic freedom in the context of political populism, neoliberalism and the exigencies of the post Covid social and educational landscape.

The Science Academy’s Statement on Boğaziçi University (Turkey)

On 3 February 2021, the board of the Science Academy of Turkey (Bilim Akademisi) issued a statement about the events that followed the appointment of a new president to Boğaziçi University in Turkey. An addendum on developments at Boğaziçi University has been added on 8 February 2021.

ALLEA welcomes Bonn Declaration on Freedom of Scientific Research

On 20 October the EU research ministers at a Ministerial Conference on the European Research Area adopted the Bonn Declaration on Freedom of Scientific Research, thereby strengthening the protection of academic freedom in Europe.

ALLEA’s reaction to the Parliament’s bill concerning the Hungarian Academy of Sciences

On 2 July 2019 the Hungarian Parliament has passed a bill which will strip the Hungarian Academy of Sciences of its research institutes and thereby will transfer the academy’s research capacities to the Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH) under the supervision of the Hungarian Ministry of Innovation and Technology.

ALLEA, EUA and Science Europe publish joint statement on academic freedom and institutional autonomy

ALLEA, EUA and Science Europe call to protect academic freedom and safeguard institutional autonomy by providing and honouring sound regulatory frameworks.

ALLEA reinforces its calls to protect the institutional autonomy and academic freedom of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences

In response to the ongoing and severely threatening infringements by the Hungarian government on the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, ALLEA has published today a statement calling to protect the institutional autonomy and academic freedom of the academy.

ALLEA Publishes Open Letter in support of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences

In response to two proposed laws introduced for voting by the…

ALLEA stands with the Central European University

  ALLEA sends letter of support for Central European…

ALLEA co-signs letter by European Science Organisations

ALLEA co-signs open letter by European science organisations…

Science Academy Istanbul’s Statement on Academics Dismissed from Public Service

On 3 October 2016 Bilim Akademisi (The Science Academy, Turkey)…

ALLEA rejects the attempted coup d’état and calls for the Republic of Turkey to respect academic freedom and autonomy

ALLEA, the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities,…

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