For further information see details and registration

The symposium will examine how political shifts and extremist ideologies are threatening academic freedom, with a particular focus on health, gender and climate research. Key concerns include working conditions, structural discrimination, and strategies for defending academic freedom and democratic science. The event features input talks, a theatre performance highlighting hidden research challenges, and a panel discussion with researchers and experts from various disciplines and career stages.

Across the globe, science and academic freedom are coming under growing pressure. Authoritarian political shifts renewed extremist ideologies, and targeted attacks on fields such as gender studies, public health, and climate research are reshaping the conditions under which researchers work. At the same time, long-standing inequalities within academia — including precarious employment, discrimination, and abuses of power — remain unresolved. With a focus on health-related research, this event brings together experts from diverse disciplines and career stages to examine how political developments in the United States and Germany affect scientific working conditions. It also addresses structural discrimination, the importance of solidarity within scientific communities, and the legal, institutional, and global strategies available to defend academic freedom and democratic science.

Organizers

• Open Science and OpenX Initiative, Berlin University Alliance (BUA); 
• Steering Committee Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Charité-Universitätsmedizin; 
• Central Representative for Gender Equity and Diversity, Charité-Universitätsmedizin; 
• Hidden Research Performance, Berlin University Alliance (BUA);
• Berlin Center for Global Engagement (BCGE), Berlin University Alliance (BUA)

Program

Moderation

• Dr. Selma Gather,  German Women Lawyers Association (djb)

Welcome Speech 

• Dr. Stefan Skupien, Berlin University Alliance (BUA)  
• Dr. Christine Kurmeyer, Central Representative for Gender Equity and Diversity, Charité-Universitätsmedizin  
• Prof. Dr. Susanne Michl, Institute of the History of Medicine and Ethics in Medicine and Vice Dean of Education (Life and Health Sciences), Charité-Universitätsmedizin

Input + Q&A

• Olga Akselrod, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)  
• Dr. Angela Schuster,  Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin  
• Prof. Dr. Gertraud Stadler, Gender Research in Medicine (GiM), Charité-Universitätsmedizin 

Break/Informal Discussion

Hidden Research Performance (A Theater Performance): Berlin Center for Global Engagement (BCGE)

• Aldo Spahiu (Art director)  
• Prof. Andrea Fleschenberg (Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, co2libri)   
• Dr. Sarah Wessel (BCGE)  
• Sanni Blodt (Actor)   
• Constantin Gerhards (Actor)   
• Paolo Possidente (Music)  
• Fabrizio Pompei (Costumes)

Panel Discussion

• Prof. Dr. Beate Kampmann, Center for Global Health and Institute of International Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin  
• Dr. Magnus Rüde, Supervisory Board, Charité-Universitätsmedizin 
• Prof. Dr. Gertraud Stadler, Gender Research in Medicine (GiM), Charité-Universitätsmedizin  
• Dr. Nassim Mehran  
• Kristin Küter, Scicomm-Support

Get Together & Catering

• Format: Hybrid—Link for online attendance will be sent upon registration 
• Language: English
• Services: Childcare upon request; On-site catering.