“The government inquiry emphasises that academic freedom cannot be taken for granted and that higher education institutions have a responsibility to raise awareness of and strengthen support for academic freedom. This is very much in line with the work that Lund University is already doing. The discussions that were held also demonstrate a high level of engagement with these issues. Safeguarding academic freedom requires knowledge, dialogue and an academic environment in which different perspectives can be brought together and examined. This is a task that requires action as well as words,” says Vice-Chancellor Erik Renström.
The main points of the inquiry’s proposals were presented on 20 August. The report is to be submitted to the Government by 11 September. The inquiry chair notes that Sweden is in a strong position internationally when it comes to academic freedom, but that this freedom cannot be taken for granted. The proposals include clarifications to the legislation, greater awareness of academic freedom, and a national support service coordinated jointly by the higher education institutions.
Lund University’s project on academic freedom and the role of universities in society addresses the same questions. During the spring, the project group met with staff and students from across the University to discuss what academic freedom entails, what conditions are required to safeguard it, and the challenges it currently faces.
The project gathered views from across the University
The project group has held 24 meetings with participants from all faculties, the Central Administration and the student unions. In total, 460 people took part.
“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed. We have gathered extensive supporting documentation and seen strong engagement with the issue across the University,” says Tim Ekberg, senior advisor to the Offices of the Vice-Chancellor, who makes up the project group together with Vilhelm Persson, professor at the Department of Law, and Rebecca Selberg, associate professor at the Department of Sociology.
“Although perspectives differ across different parts of the organisation, there is a clear consensus on the importance of academic freedom. A recurring theme among participants was the opportunity to independently seek out, develop, review and share knowledge,” says Rebecca Selberg.
The discussions also show that many regard research funding, collegiality, well-balanced administrative governance and access to time and resources as key prerequisites for putting academic freedom into practice.
“Academic freedom is not just about formal rights, but also about the conditions that make it possible to exercise that freedom,” says Vilhelm Persson.
Basis for further work
The findings from the discussions are now being taken forward within the project, which will run until the end of 2026. The work will help draw up a declaration on academic freedom for Lund University. The project’s work and proposals are intended, above all, to help clarify and further strengthen the University’s work on academic freedom.
Read more about the University’s academic freedom project and the role of universities in society: Academic freedom