Roundtables: Transnational Perspectives on Academic Freedom
CMB Roundtables in the context of Academic Freedom Week
20.05.2026
13:00 – 17:00
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10117 Berlin, Senatssaal
Zur Anmeldung
This event brings together experts and researchers to examine the challenges facing academic freedom in global and European contexts.
The day begins with a keynote from Stephanie Balme (Sciences Po Paris), presenting insights from her report Defending and Promoting Academic Freedom: A Global Issue, an Urgent Matter for France and Europe, followed by a Q&A session.
The event will be followed by two roundtable discussions :
How do academic freedoms erode and what can be done ?
How do French and German institutions abroad navigate the shoals of illiberal pressures on academic freedoms
⇒ More information and full programme of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academic Freedom Week 2026
Programm
1:00 pm : Welcome
13:15–14h00 : Keynote : Stéphanie Balme (Sciences Po)
2:15–3:30 pm : How do academic freedoms erode and what can be done ?
Roundtable 1 focuses on the forces eroding academic freedom worldwide, with case studies from different countries and regions in the world. Discussions will explore methods used to curtail academic freedom and the individual and collective responses from academia.
Benjamin Taunay (Aix-Marseille Université)
Aysen Uysal (Dokuz Eylul University / CERI- Sciences Po Paris)
Zsolt Boda (ELTE, Centre for Social Sciences, Budapest)
Moderation : Jakob Vogel (Sciences Po Paris)
3:45–5:00 pm : How do French and German institutions abroad navigate the shoals of illiberal pressures on academic freedoms
Roundtable 2 examines the experiences of scientists and researchers in Franco-German research centres operating in illiberal political contexts. The conversation highlights the challenges for European research structures, their potential to foster resistance in host countries, lessons for Western Europe, and insights into strengthening capacities for academic freedom under pressure.
Myriam Catusse : (Institut de Recherche sur le Maghreb Contemporain, Tunis, Hybrid)
Jens-Peter Hanssen (Orient Institut, Beirut, Hybrid)
Adrien Fauve (University Paris Saclay, Former director of the Institut français d’études sur l’Asie centrale)
Moderation : Klaus Oschema (DHI Paris)
Report to the evening pannel : Jay Rowell (CMB)