ACADEMIC FREEDOM

Excellent research is strongly dependent on the ability of researchers and scientific institutions to conduct their work without undue outside interference and to freely choose their research agendas. The freedom of research is vital not only for the quality of research but also for the trust the wider public places in scientific institutions. As such, academic freedom and institutional autonomy are of fundamental importance and value to society and must be protected.

In most cases, countries in Europe have stipulations enshrined in national legislation or as part of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights that guarantee the freedom of academic research and the autonomy of scientific institutions. However, despite these existing protections, universities, academies, and individual scientists continue to be the target of increasing political pressures, and researchers are experiencing worrying infringements on their research agendas. Academic freedom and institutional autonomy are no longer self-evident in Europe and around the world, with grave consequences for scholars, science and society.

ALLEA strives to ensure that the public and policy makers are aware of the importance of safeguarding academic freedom. On behalf of its members, ALLEA stands up against unjustified infringements and intervenes with a range of actions, including mediation, statements and open letters, in support of academic institutions under threat over recent years.

Related News

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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