Nordic Conference on Academic Freedom

Schedule

Thursday 4 March – Domus Academica, University of Oslo (Campus Downtown)

09:00-10:00   Registration
10:00-17:00  Plenary and parallel sessions

Friday 5 March – Georg Sverdrups hus (University library), University of Oslo (Campus Blindern)

09:00-16:00   Plenary and parallel sessions

Programme to be announced.

Background

Academic freedom is a cornerstone of democratic societies and a prerequisite for high-quality research and education. While the Nordic countries are often perceived as global leaders in safeguarding academic freedom, the concept is under increasing pressure; institutionally, politically, and culturally.

The European Parliament’s yearly Academic Freedom Monitor highlights the introduction of undue restrictions on institutional autonomy, the undermining of academic self-governance, the worsening of academic working conditions, the inappropriate use of public funding as a means of political pressure, and the tendency of governments to exclude academics and students from higher education policy-making.

Recent developments in various parts of the world, including overt political attacks on universities and researchers in the United States and parts of Europe, highlight the urgent need to re-examine the frameworks that protect academic freedom. At the same time, internal challenges within our own systems – such as marketization, managerialism, digital governance, and restrictions on institutional autonomy – call for critical reflection.

Purpose/aims

1. To explore whether a distinct Nordic model of academic freedom exists, and if so, what defines it.
2. To identify concrete actions needed to safeguard and strengthen academic freedom in the Nordic countries.
3. To lay the foundations for a Nordic school of thought on academic freedom.

Conference Structure

The conference programme will combine plenary keynote lectures with thematic parallel sessions and targeted sessions for early-career researchers (ECRs).

The first two thematic tracks will each be introduced by keynote lectures, followed by thematic sessions. In addition, the programme includes cross-cutting sessions specifically addressing structural challenges to academic freedom experienced by early-career researchers and junior staff.

Themes and Tracks

Tracks

1. Academic Freedom in a Nordic and Democratic Context
2. Legal and Institutional Frameworks
3. Political and Public Pressure
4. Marketization, Managerialism, and Digital Governance
5. Cultural, Epistemic, and Educational Dimensions of Academic Freedom
6. The Freedom of Scientific Research Beyond HEIs

Cross-Cutting Sessions (Junior-Focused)

1. Precarity, Employment Conditions, and Academic Freedom
   This session focuses on how precarious employment conditions shape academic freedom in practice, with particular attention to early-career researchers and junior staff.
2. Early-Career Researchers and Academic Freedom
   Facilitated workshops providing confidential and trust-based spaces for ECRs.
3. Teaching Freedom, Curriculum Control, and Educational Policy
   Panels addressing academic freedom in teaching, curriculum design, and education policy reforms.

Practical information/Sign up

Information about accommodation, conference fee, meals and so on will be announced in due time, but please keep the date as the terms for participation and a possibility to register has not yet been set up. We encourage you to state your interest and receive updates by registering your contact details here:

Sign up for updates

Please provide your contact details to state your interest and receive updates about the conference.

• Registration form

 

Organizing the Conference

The following trade unions are co-organizers of this conference:

• Norwegian Associations of Researchers (Forskerforbundet; Norway)
• The Swedish Association of University Teachers and Researchers (SULF; Sweden)
• DM University (Denmark)
• Association of University Teachers (Félag háskólakennara; Iceland)
• State University Professors’ Union (Félag prófessora við ríkisháskóla; Iceland)
• The Union of Research Professionals (Tieteentekijät; Finland)
• Trade Union of Education (OAJ; Finland)

A working group with representatives from these unions coordinates the conference.

Contact information

Special Advisor Jon Wikene Iddeng,
jon.wikene.iddeng@forskerforbundet.no

Chief Advisor/Head of International Affairs Jorunn Dahl Norgård, jorunn.dahl.norgaard@forskerforbundet.no

 

Co-partners