Research between academic freedom and political influence

Researchers are coming under increasing pressure worldwide, even in democracies. Financial cutbacks are reducing the scope for innovative research. At the same time, the objectivity of scientific research is often called into question, researchers are openly hostile and entire fields of research are declared to be the enemy.

Trump's fight against American universities is a particularly drastic example of these developments. However, people in science in Germany also have to deal with attacks. While the vast majority still had a great deal of trust in science, especially at the beginning of the pandemic, this quickly changed in parts of the population. Research that does not fit in with their own world view is often politicized and fought against.

What are the causes of such attacks on academic freedom? How can universities defend themselves against these developments without becoming political actors themselves? Does the university itself have to change in order to create new freedom for research?

The panel will discuss these questions:

Prof. Dr. Malte Drescher, President at RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau

Dr. Lars Lott, political scientist at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and co-author of the Academic Freedom Index

Sven Werkmeister, Director of the Strategy Department of the German Academic Exchange Service

When? 18:00 - 20:00 (joint conclusion until 21:00)

Where? 42kaiserslautern, Eisenbahnstr. 42, 67655 Kaiserslautern

A bus transfer from the Landau campus to the event location in Kaiserslautern has been arranged. If you would like to take advantage of this, a separate registration is required in addition to the registration form below.