Academic Freedom in Times of Rising Authoritarianism or “Who Is Afraid of Sociologists?”
Academic Freedom in Times of Rising Authoritarianism or “Who Is Afraid of Sociologists?”
Thursday, 10 July 2025: 16:30
Location: FSE035 (Faculty of Education Sciences (FSE))
Oral Presentation
Drawing on an analysis of the ISA statements and open letters published by scholars to denounce threats to academic freedom published during the first semester of 2024, this paper analyses the combination of factors and trends that has led to an alarming increase of threats against scholars and limitations to the freedom of research. The article then focuses on the way this trend has affected even some of the countries considered as some of the most solid European democracies.
In its last section, it discusses the reason why social sciences are particularly affected by these restrictions to academic freedom that have spread from gender studies to critical perspectives and instrumental uses of allegations of antisemitism to quell critical stances.
In its last section, it discusses the reason why social sciences are particularly affected by these restrictions to academic freedom that have spread from gender studies to critical perspectives and instrumental uses of allegations of antisemitism to quell critical stances.