Academic Freedom

In recent years, the electoral successes of the far right in various European and other countries, and the transformation of a pluralistic political world into an “illiberal” regime, have left a deep mark on academic and intellectual life in these countries. In recent years, more directly political pressures have been mounting in long-established democracies. These multiple pressures and a polarized political debate—which require a country-by-country analysis—have led to a narrowing of the space for academic debate and have affected research and teaching practices, particularly in the humanities and social sciences.

In this context, where the principles and practices underpinning the academic field are being put to the test, we believe it is important to closely analyze these pressures on the academic world in different countries, as well as the strategies of resistance—both internal and external—undertaken by various actors to safeguard the conditions for an open and pluralistic academic debate.

Nos réflexions sont menées aussi dans le cadre d’une série de séminaires en ligne avec des interventions de collègues de différents pays, en français ou en anglais. Ils devraient concerner à la fois les pays où les pressions s’exercent depuis de nombreuses années que des pays où les transformations politiques et la polarisation politique introduisent de nouvelles pressions.