SS 26_History of Academic (Un)Freedom in Central and Eastern Europe

Donnerstag, 16:40-18:10, hybrides Format, ZMOE

Academic (un)freedom is a highly topical and contested issue in light of recent developments not only in Central and Eastern Europe but far beyond. Scholars and intellectuals have increasingly been confronted with professional bans, forced emigration, political pressure, and public defamation, while freedom of expression and opinion has come under growing strain. This lecture series explores the phenomenon of academic (un)freedom from a historical perspective, spanning the period from the eighteenth century to the present day. By examining a wide range of media and forms—including legal frameworks, institutional practices, educational systems, publications, and teaching—the series aims to illuminate how academic freedoms have been negotiated, restricted, defended, and transformed over time, and how these dynamics continue to shape scholarly work and public discourse today.