Freedom is the foundation upon which scientific work is built. Without it, there is no independent research, no controversial debate, no societal progress. However, it is precisely this freedom that is increasingly coming under pressure – both in Germany and around the world. Academics and universities are increasingly faced with high-stakes challenges that involve undue political influence, demands for controversial events to be canceled, international tensions, and ethical conflicts.

With the “Academic Freedom” series, put together with contributions from Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and the Cluster of Excellence SCRIPTS, we aim to inform, raise awareness, and promote dialogue. What does academic freedom mean today – on an individual and an institutional level? Where are its limits; where is it under threat? And what role do science and academia themselves play in upholding this freedom?

In Focus: Academic Freedom