Academic Freedom Under Siege Worldwide: US and India Among Offenders
Academic freedom worldwide has faced significant threats and attacks in the past year, according to reports by Scholars at Risk (SAR) and the Academic Freedom index (AFi). The SAR annual report documented 395 attacks on scholars, students, and institutions across 49 countries and territories, while the AFi reported declines in academic freedom in 36 countries, with 10 rated as completely restricted and another 8 as severely restricted.
The US government has increased pressure on universities, with at least 80 recorded incidents of pressure in the past year, shifting from state and local actors to federal control. State leaders worldwide have also cracked down on academic freedom, targeting scholars, students, and institutions for their expression and research. Protests by students and scholars have been met with violent crackdowns, abductions, and military training mandates. Palestinian students, scholars, and universities face severe challenges due to Israel's military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. In the US, the Trump administration has taken unprecedented actions to dismantle academic freedom, including revoking research funds, detaining and deporting international scholars, and targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Nine top-tier US universities accepted the 'Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education', which included demands such as freezing tuition fees, capping international students, and protecting 'conservative ideas' in exchange for federal funding and preferential tax treatment. The White House sent a memo to these universities urging them to adopt measures including capping international undergraduate enrollment and banning the use of race and sex in hiring. Meanwhile, in India, academic freedom has been shrinking, with incidents of campus violence, discrimination, and curriculum changes that favor the ruling party's agenda.
These developments highlight the urgent need for the global academic community to build solidarity and advocate for academic freedom and autonomy. Scholars at Risk' advocacy director, Clare Robinson, calls for the community to communicate the value of academic freedom and secure legal protections for it. The future of academic freedom depends on collective efforts to resist these threats and promote a culture of free inquiry and expression.
