[A Global Illiberal Shift? Democracy, Universities & Politics Today: A Moderated Discussion

According to the Academic Freedom Index (Update 2026), over the past ten years, academic freedom has declined in fifty countries, while only nine countries have recorded improvements. Across all dimensions of academic freedom, more countries are experiencing declines than improvements. This moderated discussion brings together students and researchers from different countries to reflect on their personal experiences of academic freedom and the growing pressures that universities around the world are facing. Are we witnessing a broader global illiberal shift, and how is it affecting higher education? The discussion will also explore the impact that growing political polarization has on universities, and the challenges of maintaining spaces for open debate and dialogue across political divides. What role can universities play in protecting academic freedom, fostering intellectual diversity, and maintaining spaces for critical debate and democratic exchange? The moderated discussion will be held in English.

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