The Academic Freedom Insights series, comprising ten policy briefs, builds upon the work of the Council of Europe Expert Working Group on the Democratic Mission of Higher Education. It explores key challenges, opportunities, and threats related to academic freedom, serving both as an awareness-raising tool and a resource for policy development.
Each brief addresses a specific dimension of academic freedom, reflecting priority areas identified by the Expert Working Group. The ten topics are:
• Academic Freedom: Human Rights Perspective
This brief presents academic freedom as a distinct human right, essential for democracy, free inquiry, and the protection against manipulation and distortion. It calls for stronger recognition of its rights-based dimension at international, national, and institutional levels, to ensure effective protection and implementation.
• Transnational Repression and Threats to Scholars
This brief examines how state actors target scholars across borders through intimidation, surveillance, coercion-by-proxy, and legal harassment. It highlights the growing risks to academics in Europe and outlines concrete policy responses to better protect scholars from foreign interference.
• Political Interference in Academic Freedom
This brief analyses how political authorities can undermine academic freedom through direct or indirect control over universities, research, and teaching. It identifies the risks posed by such interference and proposes strategies to safeguard institutional autonomy and the independence of scholarship.
• SLAPPs and other Legal Threats Against Academics
This brief explores the rise of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) and other forms of legal intimidation aimed at silencing academic voices. It assesses their impact on research and debate, and calls for legal and institutional safeguards to protect scholars from abuse of the justice system.
• Self-Censorship in Academia: Causes and Consequences
This brief investigates the factors that lead scholars and students to self-censor, including political pressure, social backlash, or institutional constraints. It considers the chilling effect of self-censorship on academic inquiry and democratic debate, and proposes measures to foster an environment where diverse ideas can be expressed freely.
(to be published on 7 September)
Forthcoming policy briefs:
• Foreign Interference in Academia
• Online Harassment
• Responsibilities and Duties of Public Authorities
• The Role of the Private Sector Regarding Academic Freedom
• Misuse of Academic Freedom
The policy briefs are published at regular intervals, in the period from April to October 2025 and are accompanied by online webinars.
Beyond raising awareness, the series will serve as a key resource for Council of Europe stakeholders and partners, promoting dialogue on academic freedom and contributing to policy discussions.
The insights from this series will also contribute to the development of a new Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Recommendation on Academic Freedom, expanding upon the existing Recommendation CM/Rec(2012)07.
Webinars
First webinar “Political Interference and Academic Freedom: Navigating Growing Pressures in Europe and Beyond" took place in presence of the authors to present and discuss the new publications.
This event brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the evolving landscape of political interference in higher education and its implications for academic freedom.
The next webinar titled "Freedom to Think: Repression, Resistance, and the Right to Academic Freedom", will take place on 10 September (11:00-12:30) in presence of the authors and featuring the following themes:
- Academic Freedom: Human Rights Perspective
- Self-Censorship in Academia: Causes and Consequences
- Transnational Repression and Threats to Scholars
Stay tuned for the next events and the publications in the Academic Freedom Insights series.
More information about the project Academic Freedom in Action
