Ei-iE

All democratic societies rely on facts and scientific evidence for societal decision-making. Academic freedom ensures that researchers and educators at universities can provide this evidence. These institutions have a special responsibility to meet society's need for basic, curiosity-driven research, to maintain a broad knowledge readiness, and to serve as a critical corrective. Academic institutions must promote trust in science, safeguard the truth, expand our knowledge, and accommodate discussions based on evidence, arguments, logic and novel ideas. Universities must accordingly be autonomous and well protected, and secure the academic freedom of scholars and students. The freedom of research, teaching, learning and dissemination of knowledge is essential, but academic freedom is also about accountability and responsibility and the independent development of science and knowledge through collegial deliberation and self-governance.

For decades, the Nordic region has been a global example of how to protect academic institutions from political, commercial, and ideological pressures. Our universities have thrived as places of independent thought, where research and education advance without external interference. Academic freedom has contributed to the extraordinary resilience of democracy in the Nordic countries, success in technological and societal innovation, and a high Nordic quality of life. But this legacy is now at risk a fresh report from Nordic academic unions shows.

The report discusses the content of academic freedom, how it is protected by international soft law and the recent development in the Nordic countries. Even though the freedom of research and education is still generally well protected in the Nordics, it concludes that academic freedom is under mounting pressure. Increasing reliance on external funding is compromising the independence of researchers. Political interference is influencing research agendas, while the rise of temporary employment contracts leaves academics vulnerable, discouraging them from pursuing ambitious ideas with uncertain outcome or controversial topics. On top of this, the tradition of democratic decision-making in universities has weakened, with centralized management increasingly calling the shots. Perhaps most concerning of all is the rise in harassment and intimidation against academics, particularly those working in sensitive or controversial fields. This stifling of free expression not only affects individual scholars but also undermines the democratic fabric of our societies.

Academic freedom and institutional autonomy are a firm guard against fake news, anti-factualism and conspiracy theories. It is needed more than ever. The Nordic model, based on a relatively large public sector, tri-partite cooperation, and the principle of a welfare state, caters for public universities with free education for citizens and permanent residents. Ensuring adequate public funding, academic freedom and institutional autonomy are generally seen as ways to foster the common good. The flipside is a certain amount of political control of the publicly funded institutions of higher education. The future success of this model depends on whether Nordic societies remain sound democracies, with politicians sharing these values. In case this is challenged, as seen in other democracies, legal protection of academic freedom becomes increasingly important.

The threat to academic freedom in the Nordic countries is not just a Nordic issue—it has global implications. The erosion of academic independence in the Nordics could set a worrying precedent, with ripple effects beyond our borders. In this report, Nordic academic trade unions therefore call on Nordic parliamentarians, governments and institutions to safeguard academic freedom, especially in the five following ways:

1. Guarantee stable public funding for universities

Public funding must be guaranteed and sufficient to allow researchers the freedom to pursue independent inquiries, without having to constantly cater to the agendas of external funding bodies.

2. Strengthen the legal protection of academic freedom

Stronger legal protections are needed to ensure that academic staff and universities remain independent, critical voices in society, shielded from external pressure and political agendas.

3. Ensure long-term employment security for academics

The increasing use of short-term contracts is undermining academic freedom. Secure, long-term employment for academics, enabling them to take intellectual risks and pursue innovative research without fear of losing their jobs, is essential.

4. Restore collegial and democratic governance in universities

The shift toward centralized management has weakened the role of academic staff in shaping university priorities. Unions call for a return to democratic, collegial governance, where academic staff have a real say in research and teaching decisions – “in order to improve academic excellence and quality for the benefit of society at large”, as is stated in UNESCO’s Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher-Education Teaching Personnel (32).

5. Protect academics from harassment and intimidation

Academics must be free to engage in public debates and pursue their research without fear of harassment or retaliation. Universities need stronger protections and support systems to defend academic freedom of expression.

Ensuring these five points will strengthen academic freedom and safeguard Nordic universities as havens for free research and education, which benefits us all.