Conference "Academic Freedom in Action 2026"

25-26 November 2026 | Council of Europe, Strasbourg

The cover illustration by Sergio Acquindo of the Report on the Erosion of Academic Freedom in Europe was originally published in Le Monde, “Academics would do well to speak out before it's too late” (2024).

Academic freedom is fundamental to democratic societies. It enables independent research, critical inquiry and the free exchange of ideas, while underlying the ability of universities to contribute to democratic governance, the rule of law and the protection of human rights. When academic freedom is weakened, the consequences extend far beyond higher education, affecting democratic resilience, public trust, scientific progress and the capacity of societies to respond to complex challenges.

Across Europe and beyond, academic freedom continues to face significant pressures, ranging from political interference and restrictions on institutional autonomy to growing threats against scholars and constraints on freedom of expression. At the same time, recent experiences from different countries demonstrate that academic freedom can also be strengthened and restored through determined institutional, legal and political action. Protecting academic freedom is therefore not only a matter for universities, but a shared responsibility of public authorities, independent institutions, civil society and the wider international community.

Against this backdrop, the Academic Freedom in Action 2026 Conference brings together policymakers, academics, students, civil society organisations, international organisations, human rights institutions and legal experts to move beyond identifying challenges and towards discussing practical responses. Organised by the Council of Europe Education Department, the conference aims to strengthen cooperation across sectors and contribute to a more coherent European approach to safeguarding academic freedom.

The programme of the Conference features high-level sessions highlighting political, legal, and institutional responses.

Session 1 – Protecting Academic Freedom: A Shared Responsibility for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law

Academic freedom is increasingly recognised not only as a cornerstone of higher education, but also as a fundamental condition for democratic societies, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights. As universities face growing pressures, from political interference and democratic backsliding to restrictions on institutional autonomy, scholarly expression and research, the question is no longer simply whether academic freedom should be protected, but how, by whom, and through which mechanisms.

This opening session will explore academic freedom through this broader democratic lens. Bringing together representatives of governments, higher education institutions, human rights bodies, ombuds institutions, legal experts and international organisations, the discussion will examine the respective responsibilities of public authorities, universities and independent oversight institutions in safeguarding academic freedom. Building on a new expert report on legal protections for academic freedom, the panel will also consider whether the existing European legal framework provides sufficient protection in the face of emerging challenges, and what further developments may be needed, including the case for a dedicated Council of Europe convention.

Session Chair: Ms. Kirsten Roberts Lyer, Professor and Chair of Human Rights programme, Central European University; a keynote presentation of the report “Legal Protections for Academic Freedom and Feasibility of a Council of Europe Convention on Academic Freedom”

Session 2 – Beyond Safe Conversations: Academic Freedom in Difficult Contexts

Co-organised with the Inter-University Centre Dubrovnik (IUC), this session will address academic freedom challenges in politically sensitive and complex national contexts that are often absent from mainstream international discussions. Panellists will reflect on how universities, scholars, and international networks navigate situations marked by conflict, democratic backsliding, or restrictions on civic space, while exploring possibilities for solidarity and institutional support.

Alongside examining contemporary challenges, the session will also explore emerging experiences of democratic and institutional recovery, asking what lessons can be drawn from efforts to rebuild academic freedom and public trust in changing political contexts.

Session Chair: Mr. Ivan Šimonović, Director General of the Inter University Centre (IUC), Professor, University of Zagreb, Croatia

Session 3 – Academic Freedom, Democratic Participation and Contested Knowledge

As science becomes increasingly central to addressing societal challenges, the relationship between research, democracy, and public trust is being reshaped by political polarisation, disinformation, and growing contestation of expertise. This panel will explore how universities and research institutions can strengthen democratic engagement through open science and public participation while safeguarding academic freedom and scientific integrity.

The discussion will examine the pressures facing scholars working on politically contested topics, including climate change, migration, gender, and public health, and consider how higher education institutions can protect independent research while developing more inclusive and trusted knowledge production. Bringing these perspectives together, the panel will reflect on how science can remain both open to society and resilient in the face of growing political and ideological pressures.

Session Chair: Mr Peter Maassen, Professor at the University of Oslo, Norway

Session 4 – Academic Freedom: Building Cooperation For More Effective Protection

The growing number of initiatives dedicated to academic freedom across Europe reflects both the urgency of the challenges facing higher education and the increasing commitment of universities, international organisations, academic networks, civil society organisations and public authorities to addressing them. At the same time, this expanding landscape raises an important question: how can these efforts become more visible, better connected and mutually reinforcing? This session will provide an opportunity to explore how cooperation among existing actors could be further strengthened. Participants will consider whether there is value in establishing a mechanism for collaboration - such as a network, platform or other form of structured cooperation - to facilitate dialogue across sectors and support more coherent and coordinated action. The discussion will focus on the potential objectives, added value and possible functions of such a mechanism, including knowledge-sharing, policy dialogue, communication, networking and collective responses to emerging challenges.

The outcomes of the session will inform reflections on possible next steps for strengthening cooperation within the Council of Europe area.

Session 5 – Voices at Risk: Testemonies, Solidarity, and Protecting Scholars Under Threat

Behind discussions of academic freedom are individual scholars whose lives, careers, and personal safety have been profoundly affected by repression, conflict, political persecution, or institutional retaliation. This session, co-organised with Scholars at Risk will bring the human dimension of academic freedom into focus through first-hand testimonies from scholars who have experienced threats, displacement, censorship, or exclusion as a result of their academic work or public engagement.

Building on these testimonies, a moderated discussion with experts and representatives of organisations supporting scholars at risk will examine how institutions, governments, and international actors can move from emergency response to more sustainable protection, solidarity, and long-term academic inclusion. The session will illustrate the realities faced by at-risk scholars and strengthen understanding of the practical mechanisms needed to support them.

Session Chair: Ms Denise Roche, Advocacy Manager, Scholars at Risk Europe

Session 6 – From Monitoring to Action: Using Evidence to Strengthen Academic Freedom

Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in monitoring academic freedom through international indices, comparative assessments and evidence-based reporting. These initiatives have substantially improved our understanding of the challenges facing academic freedom and have provided an increasingly strong evidence base for research, policy and advocacy. The next challenge, however, is how this evidence can be translated into more effective protection.

This session will move beyond presenting existing monitoring initiatives to explore how data, assessment tools and comparative evidence can better inform public policy, institutional decision-making and international cooperation. Particular attention will be given to innovative approaches to assessment, emerging methodologies and practical examples of how monitoring results can support preventive action, strengthen institutional resilience and contribute to more effective safeguards for academic freedom.

By bringing together experts working on different monitoring and assessment frameworks, the discussion will focus on moving from diagnosis to implementation, examining not only how academic freedom is measured, but how evidence can be used to shape policies, strengthen protection mechanisms and support concrete action at institutional, national and international levels.

Session Chair: Ms Katrin Kinzelbach, Professor, FAU Erlangen- Nürnberg; Academic Freedom index

Session 7 – Students and Academic Freedom

Students are central actors in academic communities and democratic life, yet discussions on academic freedom often focus primarily on institutional or staff perspectives. This session will explore the role of students in advancing and defending academic freedom, including questions related to freedom of expression on campus, participation in university governance, student activism, and the creation of inclusive and open learning environments.

Session Chair: Mr Terence Karran, Emeritus Professor, Lincoln University, UK

Session 8 – International Global Currents, Shared Struggles: Academic Freedom Under Pressure Worldwide

Academic freedom is under growing pressure not only in Europe but globally. This closing panel will examine key developments across different regions, including recent legislative and political developments affecting higher education and research. Through comparative perspectives, panellists will explore how global trends resonate across regions, what forms of resistance and protection are emerging, and how international solidarity and cooperation can be strengthened to support scholars and institutions under pressure worldwide.

Session Chair: Mr. Villano Qiriazi, Head of the Education Department, Council of Europe