Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Comparative Political Sciences and Political Systems of Eastern Europe

Academic Freedom under Pressure (Panel Discussion)

  • When Jun 15, 2019 from 06:30 to 08:00
  • Where Hauptgebäude der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU) | Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Unter den Linden 6 (Zugang auch über Dorotheenstraße) 10117 Berlin Raum: 2249a
  • iCal

In recent years, right-wing populism has found increasing support in different countries around the globe. Among other institutions of a liberal democratic system, populists have attacked universities and academics. Either as part of their anti-elitism or anti-intellectualism or seeing them as sources of critical thinking and resistance to their capture of political power, universities became one of the main targets to populist authoritarian actors.
In this panel, the speakers will discuss the nature of this attack, its different reasons, and forms, as well as consequences that go beyond the university campuses. The panel also brings to discussion possible ways of resistance against such attacks in universities and the role of academics in defending their institutions and professional freedom.

The discussion is part of the ongoing cooperative project between Humboldt and Princeton University on “Constitutionalism Under Stress”: Academics from both institutions jointly examine different dimensions of current threats to liberal constitutionalism and possible counter-strategies.