Academic independence is increasingly challenged by political pressures and external interests. As scholars face new risks and weakened institutional autonomy, it is vital to reflect on how universities can defend their democratic mission and educational freedom. When critical thinking and academic independence come under pressure, it threatens not only freedom of expression but also human rights. Academic freedom is a cornerstone of democracy and a vital public interest - this conference aims to advance the issue on the public agenda. Organized by the Human Rights Profile Area at Lund University in collaboration with the Swedish Institute for Human Rights, the conference welcomes a broad audience. By comparing national contexts across Europe, we will identify shared challenges, highlight variations, and exchange strategies to safeguard academic freedom and strengthen international collaboration.

Key Sessions:

• Academic Freedom as a Human Right and a Matter of Public Interest: Why academic freedom matters for everyone, not just academics, and how it underpins democracy and pluralism.
• The Role of Universities in a Politicized and Globalized Landscape: How universities can adapt to political pressures and global market forces while defending their autonomy and democratic mission.
• Institutional Autonomy and Academic Freedom - Exploring Alternatives in the European Context: Comparative perspectives on governance and funding models that strengthen academic freedom.

• At Risk in Europe and beyond? Measuring and Safeguarding Academic Freedom: Data-driven insights and practical frameworks for understanding and protecting scholars at risk.

  Find a detailed programme on the conference webpage (Link to Human Rights Profile Area website).

Registration

You can register for the whole conference or single sessions using this registration form. 
Limited number of seats. 
Participation is free of charge.

Organizers:

Human Rights Profile Area at Lund University in collaboration with the Swedish Institute for Human Rights.