European Societies and Academic Freedom: Patterns, Problems, Solutions

ended

ESAF - European Societies and Academic Freedom fills a gap in EU studies through Module on academic freedom in Europe and globally. Academic Freedom is freedom of research and teach/learn, university autonomy and liberty to express ideas publicly. It is anchored in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and is a goal of the European Higher Education Area. However, EU studies in most European universities do not have courses on academic freedom. Available Reports highlight a gap existing between raising threats against academic freedom in European states and the general level of ignorance among universities and the civil society on this topic. To address this gap ESAF Module promotes 3 interrelated TRAILS of activities: T1 - An interdisciplinary and university-wide course for students within and beyond EU studies; T2 - Evening public conversations on academic freedom for secondary schools, civil society organisations and policy makers; T3- Two intensive workshops as kick-off work and final launch of an international handbook. ESAF objectives/results: - To promote excellence in interdisciplinary teaching/learning experience on academic freedom. - To equip students/young professionals with knowledge of European Union’s and States’ subjects/policies relevant for their academic/ educational paths. - To bridge the university and the public world by disseminating open-access materials on academic freedom to experts, secondary school students and teachers, local stakeholders and policy makers. ESAF Outputs: Web-page; Course Syllabus and Materials (written and video); Yearly Advocacy Reports; Secondary School Booklet; Open-Access International Handbook. By addressing academic freedom in European democracies and the need to protect higher education communities, ESAF engages with two priorities of the 2021 Erasmus + Program: Participation in Democratic life and Fostering Inclusion and Diversity.