Duration
23 Apr 2026 - 24 Apr 2026
Content
In this workshop, we explore what trends in threats to academic freedom can be observed and what trends we see in how universities and academics cope with these threats. Do they organize themselves to push back, and if so, how? What practices are more or less successful? Special attention will be paid to the different social, political and cultural contexts in which these threats and practices manifest themselves. Together, we explore what the prerequisites are for academic freedom.
The first part of the workshop is about mapping the field. Here we look both at outside threats as well as to threats from within; at threats to institutional autonomy as well as to freedom of expression; threats through social media and direct attacks. In the second part of the workshop, we focus on different cases from different (European) regions (west, centre and east). This can help to get an insight in the different contexts of threats to academic freedom. In the third part, we also look at the coping mechanisms / practices that are being and have been developed as a reaction to these threats. The output of the discussions will be used as input for an IUC position paper on academic freedom including an overview of the discussed threats and coping mechanisms that will be shared with our member institutions.
Context
This workshop is the first in a series of three workshops that prelude a larger conference on the same topic at the IUC in September 2027. Workshop 2 will be held in Zagreb in the fall of 2026 and will focus on the coming generation of academics. Workshop 3 will focus on economic and regional development and will be organized in the spring of 2027 in Dubrovnik. The conference will be held on the 55th anniversary of the IUC adjacent to the IUC Council meeting.
The initiative for this workshop series and conference stems from the fact that academic freedom is globally under pressure and from the realization that the IUC Dubrovnik since its start in 1972 is strongly devoted to academic freedom, freedom of expression and aims at promoting these values and protecting them against attempts at restricting them. Academic Freedom is a necessary condition for supporting scientific collaboration.
This first workshop is intended for academics, academic institutions, NGOs, (international) organizations and networks that work in and/or are active in the domain of science, higher education and research.
Provisional program
Thursday 23 April 2026
10.30 – 11.00 Reception
11.00 – 11.15 Welcome and opening of the workshop
Prof. Ivan Šimonovic and Prof. Wieger Bakker, DG and dep. DG IUC
11.15 – 12.00 Academic freedom - Historical perspectives on current controversies
Introduction and discussion Prof. Astri Andresen, University of Bergen
(confirmed)
12.00 – 12.45 Academic Freedom in Danger. On the asymmetry of legal rights and moral duties
Introduction and discussion Prof. Walther Zimmerli, Humboldt University Berlin
(confirmed)
12.45 – 14.00 Lunch
14.00 – 14.45 Academic Freedom in Action. The work of the Council of Europe
Introduction and discussion, Jelena Drča MSc, (confirmed)
14.45 – 15.30 Effects of disinformation and social media on the academic freedom (tentative)
Prof. Mato Brautović, University of Dubrovnik (confirmed)
15.30 – 16.00 Coffee break
16.00 – 17.00 Round table: Classifications of controversies and threats, actors and initiatives
Moderator: Prof. Snježana Prijić-Samaržija, University of Rijeka
17.00 – 17.15 Wrap Up day 1
Friday April 24 2026
9.30 – 10.00 Reception
10.00 – 10.45 Academic freedom in Serbia
Dragica Vujadinović, University of Belgrade (confirmed)
10.45-11.30 The Nomad University Georgia. A practice of Academic Freedom
Introduction and discussion. Prof. Nina Belayeva, Nomad University
(confirmed)
11.30 – 12.00 Coffee break
12.00 – 13.00 Exploring and Analyzing Coping Practices in Europe.
Break out groups
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch Break
14.00 – 14.45 Academic Freedom: Case study Israel (tentative)
Prof. Ofra Rechter, Tel Aviv University (invited)
14.45 – 15.30 Case study: Florida (ZOOM)
Prof. Lee Kendall Metcalf, Florida State University (confirmed)
15.30 – 16.00 Coffee break
16.00 – 16.30 Identifying Components for a Position Paper
In break out groups followed by plenary reporting
16.30 – 17.00 Wrap up, Lessons for the IUC’s Next Events
Prof. Gunn Elisabeth Birkelund, University of Oslo
20.00 – 22.00 Dinner workshop participants and executive committee IUC
