“Freedom” is the key sentiment at the heart of Article 5.3 of Germany’s Basic Law, which serves as both a guarantee for the protection of academia and a constitutional mandate to the state. It declares that “[a]rts and sciences, research and teaching shall be free.” This is not an empty phrase; it is a foundational principle of our constitutional order and forms the bedrock of our knowledge-based society.

Unlike Germany, the United States lacks clear legal provisions for the protection of academic freedom. The current U.S. administration’s handling of research institutions reveals a concerning trajectory, marked by ideological interference and a growing disregard for scientific autonomy. This cannot be explained by a lack of legal protections alone. Increasingly, we are seeing existing rules being circumvented or ignored. After all, the law is only effective when it is respected by those in power.

Despite its constitutional safeguards, Germany is not immune to a similar development. Our legal protections do not automatically shield us against threats. Here in Germany, political attacks on science and academia – whether through blanket accusations of ideological bias or the instrumentalization of issues like the fight against antisemitism – mirror trends we are seeing in the U.S. There, institutions such as the National Institutes of Health or universities like Columbia and Harvard are under fire, jeopardizing their ability to function effectively.

This is an issue that goes beyond who holds the power to define or interpret the law. Academic freedom is a litmus test for the health of our democracy. It is a reflection of the kind of society we live in – and the one we hope to build. Authoritarian regimes often consolidate their power by exercising control over academia. Independent thought and civic participation are suppressed, with autonomy seen as a threat. This stands in stark contrast to a model of society in which diversity and participation are recognized as important drivers of innovation.

Negotiating this space in a free society may be difficult at times – but it is also what allows independence to thrive and prosperity to be shared among as many people as possible. This idea shapes not only the principles of Freie Universität Berlin, but our entire society – eighty years after the end of World War II in Europe, seventy-six years after the adoption of Germany’s Basic Law, and today, in the midst of global transformation.

Throughout the 2025 summer semester, Freie Universität will be placing a focus on academic freedom, together with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Cluster of Excellence SCRIPTS. You can look forward to a wide range of events and dedicated webpages where we’ll share information and foster dialogue. Your participation matters – academic freedom is too often dismissed as an ivory tower concern when, in reality, it thrives through public engagement and relies on the commitment of everyone who stands up for democratic values.

Get informed. Join in. Play your part!

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This article originally appeared in German in the Tagesspiegel newspaper supplement published by Freie Universität Berlin.