Universities depend on academic freedom to create and share knowledge through research, teaching, debate, and dialogue.

Yet this freedom is increasingly under pressure worldwide. Governments are interfering with the content of education and research by banning topics, reshaping curricula, censoring scholars, and closing institutions. The Free to Think 2026 report by global network Scholars at Risk documents 382 attacks on scholars, students, and institutions in 59 countries. The Netherlands is not immune. Academic freedom is also declining here, according to the Academic Freedom Index. The Rectors of the Dutch Universities have sounded the alarm and the KNAW is examining whether academic freedom should be given explicit legal protection in the Dutch Constitution. How can universities, researchers, and society protect academic freedom when it comes under political or societal pressure? A panel of scientists from different fields of research, linguist Joanna Chojnicka, social psychologist Tom Postmes, medical physicist Oleksandra Ivashchenko, and biologist Dirk-Jan Scheffers share their views on how to protect academic freedom. Associate Professor Geography and Psychology of Religion Brenda Mathijsen will lead the discussion. This programme is organised in honour of the 25th anniversary of the Scholars at Risk (SAR) network, of which the University of Groningen is a member.

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Academic Freedom Under Pressure