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Written by Eszter Fay.

Academic freedom is widely accepted as a fundamental value in higher education systems and a prerequisite for well‑functioning democratic societies. Indicators show that academic freedom is under pressure across the EU and the world. This fundamental value goes to the heart of the European project, and should be defended as such. It is clear that we need to do more in Europe – but what, and how?

Politicians, experts and academics discussed this question and more at the STOA high‑level conference on academic freedom held on 29 November 2023 in the European Parliament Library. Read on for highlights from the conference.

#EP4AcademicFreedom

The European Parliament Forum for Academic Freedom (‘EP4AcademicFreedom’), initiated by STOA Chair Christian Ehler (EPP, Germany), was launched last year by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. This year, the President called for a better defence of academic freedom in her opening address. As she explained, “it is only when academics and researchers are free to pursue their own initiatives that the result of their work is truly groundbreaking and innovative”. Without academic freedom, President Metsola continued, we deny societal progress for humanity. According to EU Commissioner Iliana Ivanova, the forum is a unique venue for discussing how we can strengthen this core EU principle.

The EP Academic Freedom Monitor

One session at the conference was dedicated to presenting and discussing the latest edition of the EP Academic Freedom Monitor. The Monitor is a series of independent reports on the state of academic freedom in the EU. Commissioned by STOA and carried out by European researchers and academics, these reports contribute to strengthening the protection of academic freedom as a fundamental right in the EU.

Christian Ehler highlighted that, while threats from new sources (such as social media and institutional leadership) have emerged, traditional threats remain the main source of erosion of academic freedom. Key amongst these: threats stemming from state and political interference in academia.

European Commission action in favour of academic freedom

The European Commission is working on a mechanism that will monitor freedom of research within the European Research Area. The Commission also plans to create a digital platform that, from mid‑2024 onwards, will serve as a ‘one stop shop’ for information empowering researchers and institutions to counter foreign interference.

The Commission is also working on elaborating a policy framework based on Member State cooperation in the framework of the Bonn Declaration on Freedom of Scientific Research.

Researchers at risk

Researchers and experts also debated how the EU could support researchers at risk. In a series of video interviews, experts and academics expressed their views on the importance of academic freedom. Whether they had been directly affected by restrictions on academic freedom or were engaged in defending it, they explained why this right is crucial to society.

Democratic responsibility for academic freedom

STOA Vice-Chair Ivars Ijabs (Renew, Latvia) stated that threats often first target fields in the humanities and social sciences related to political power (e.g. Holocaust, gender and climate studies). He explained that in some countries, reform of research and higher education systems is used to limit academic freedom. He suggested that the next EU research framework programme promoting research and innovation system reform be linked to standards and monitoring of academic freedom.

Sabine Döring, State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, clarified the difference between the right to freedom of expression and the right to freedom of research. The latter, she explained, does not mean that academic statements can be unfounded judgements or mere opinions; they should instead be based on qualified reasoning. Additionally, academic freedom does not simply mean that academics in Europe are guaranteed certain rights. It must go further than that; academic institutions must also respect and promote these rights.

Legal protection of academic freedom in the EU

The League of European Research Universities paper on Academic Freedom as a Fundamental Right states that Article 13 of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, which puts forward the right to conduct scientific research, allows for the European Commission to take action on academic freedom vis‑à‑vis some EU Member States. Christian Ehler expressed concern that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) case on the government’s pressure on the Central European University in Budapest could not be ruled on the basis of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. He argued, there is therefore a need for EU Treaty change. ECJ Advocate-General Juliane Kokott noted that the case was based on Hungary’s violation of the World Trade Organization’s binding treaty obligations.

The European Parliament’s #EP4AcademicFreedom continues its activities to protect academic freedom in Europe, together with its stakeholders. Stay tuned!

A web stream recording of the event is available on STOA website.

Your opinion matters to us. To let us know what you think, get in touch via stoa@europarl.europa.eu and follow us on X at @EP_ScienceTech.

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