Open Conversation: Academic Freedom Under Pressure – A Professor’s Perspective
Academic freedom is a precious commodity and a fundamental prerequisite for the free pursuit of scientific knowledge. Beyond the classroom, academics frequently serve as public intellectuals who influence societal debates.
From a professor’s standpoint, academic freedom is not an abstract right but a daily practice under pressure. This talk examines the opportunities and risks of public engagement, considering where the boundaries lie between academic work, personal expression, and political activism. In addition, this session examines real experiences of censorship, self-censorship and external interference, and considers how academics can navigate these challenges while maintaining credibility and resilience. Participants
- Prof. Ivanka Popovic, former rector of the University of Belgrade and current vice-president of the European University Association (EUA)
- Prof. Nemanja Dzuverovic, Faculty of the Political Science, University of Belgrade
- Prof. Heike Wieters, Department of History, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Prof. Anne-Lise Sibony, Faculty of Law, UCLouvain
- Aleksandra Knezevic, Research associate, Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory, University of Belgrade
- Moderator: Prof. Hannes Grandits, Faculty of Philosophy, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Time
28.10.2025, 10am
Place
University of Belgrade and online