Understanding Academic Freedom in European Higher Education

Academic freedom stands as a cornerstone of higher education, encompassing the liberty for university faculty, researchers, and students to explore ideas, conduct inquiries, and disseminate knowledge without external coercion or undue influence. In the context of European universities and colleges, this principle—often formalized through national laws, university charters, and European Union frameworks—ensures that institutions like the Sorbonne in France or Heidelberg University in Germany can thrive as hubs of independent thought. It includes freedoms to research, teach, express views, exchange ideas across borders, and maintain institutional autonomy from political or economic pressures.

Historically, Europe has been a global leader in upholding these rights, with roots tracing back to the Magna Carta Universitatum of 1274 and modern protections under the European Convention on Human Rights. Yet, recent years have witnessed a subtle but persistent erosion, threatening the continent's reputation for scholarly excellence and innovation.

The Global Decline and Europe's Place Within It

Worldwide, academic freedom has deteriorated markedly. Over the decade from 2015 to 2025, it declined in 50 countries while improving in just nine, with the global average score on the Academic Freedom Index dropping 22% from 0.49 to 0.38. This slide reflects pressures from autocratization, polarization, and geopolitical tensions affecting universities everywhere.

Europe is not immune. Within the European Union, 25 out of 27 member states registered declines over the past decade, 24 over five years, and 15 in the last year alone. The EU average Academic Freedom Index score fell from 0.93 in 2014 to 0.84 in 2024, signaling a broad weakening across key dimensions like freedom to research and teach, campus integrity, and institutional autonomy.

Key Data from the Academic Freedom Index 2026

The Academic Freedom Index 2026 update, a peer-reviewed measure assessing de facto protections in 179 countries, highlights Europe's vulnerabilities. Indicators such as freedom to research and teach declined in 51 countries globally, while institutional autonomy—critical for universities' self-governance—worsened in 43, including many European nations.

This table illustrates substantial drops, with Hungary facing systemic issues and even high performers like the Netherlands and Germany seeing statistically significant erosions.

Hungary: A Case Study in Government Interference

Hungary exemplifies severe decline, with its AFI score plummeting to 0.30 amid aggressive state interventions. The government's centralization of research funding, revocation of gender studies programs, and labeling of critical academics as 'Soros agents' have chilled discourse at institutions like Central European University (CEU), which relocated to Vienna in 2019 due to restrictive laws on foreign-funded higher education.

Recent EU budgetary freezes tied to rule-of-law concerns have further strained Hungarian universities, forcing program cuts and faculty departures. This has led to a brain drain, with talented researchers seeking opportunities elsewhere, undermining national innovation capacity.

Poland and Eastern European Strains

In Poland, despite a recent AFI uptick (+0.12 last year), decade-long decline persists through attempts to politicize academia. Efforts to liquidate the Copernicus Academy, replace leaders at the Polish Academy of Sciences, and intervene in funding bodies like NCBR have sparked protests. Police summons during pro-Palestinian campus events at the University of Warsaw highlight tensions between security and expression.

Similar patterns in Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Romania—below-EU-average scores—involve funding instability and autonomy losses, fostering self-censorship among faculty wary of reprisals.

Photo by Arno Senoner on Unsplash

Western Europe: From Subtle Shifts to Campus Concerns

Even bastions like Germany, France, and the Netherlands face declines. In Germany, cancellations of lectures by figures like Israeli historian Benny Morris at Ludwig Maximilian University due to security fears exemplify political pressures. France saw event denials at Sciences Po and police interventions at Toulouse-Jean Jaurès amid protests.

The Netherlands dropped from global top ranks, with campus safety perceptions plummeting. In the UK (post-Brexit but influential), addiction to foreign funding risks indirect interference, while Italy's public funding cuts have precarious contracts deterring top talent.

Root Causes: A Multifaceted Threat

• Political Polarization: Populist governments prioritize 'useful' research (e.g., STEM over humanities), tying funds to national security.
• Foreign Interference: China's Confucius Institutes (closures in 13 EU states) and scholarships demanding loyalty oaths create self-censorship risks.
• Societal Pressures: Anti-science skepticism (52% of EU citizens see scientists as having 'dangerous power') fuels harassment via social media.
• Commercialization: Private funding conditions limit agendas, while budget cuts erode autonomy.
• Security Policies: Post-Ukraine war collaborations face scrutiny, impacting exchanges.

Impacts on Research, Innovation, and Talent

The erosion correlates with reduced innovation. Studies show a one-standard-deviation improvement in academic freedom boosts patent applications by 41% and citations by 29%. In Europe, declines mean fewer breakthroughs, as self-censorship stifles risky inquiries.

Universities suffer brain drain: Hungary and Poland lose faculty to freer environments, weakening rankings and funding cycles. Institutional autonomy losses politicize hiring and curricula, diverting resources from pure research.

The European Parliament's Academic Freedom Monitor 2025 notes how these trends foster precarious careers, reducing Europe's edge in AI, climate science, and biotech.

Effects on Students and Mobility

Students bear direct costs: limited 'freedom to learn' hampers critical thinking. European Students' Union reports persecution of activists, with 25/27 EU states declining. Mobility suffers as polarized campuses deter exchanges; Erasmus+ faces indirect threats from funding conditions.

Precarious conditions exacerbate mental health issues, dropout rates, and inequality, as underrepresented groups self-censor more.

EU and National Responses

The EU has stepped up via the Academic Freedom Monitor and funding conditions (e.g., Hungary sanctions). Council of Europe urges stronger safeguards. Universities like those in the European University Association advocate internal protections.

Photo by Bree Anne on Unsplash

Pathways to Restoration

• Enact binding EU protections, including 'freedom to learn' for students.
• Regular monitoring with student input.
• Transparent funding decoupled from politics.
• Support at-risk scholars via expanded Hilde Domin programmes.
• Promote university autonomy charters.

National laws, civic engagement, and awareness campaigns can reverse trends.

Future Outlook for European Higher Education

Without action, declines risk deepening Europe's innovation lag amid global competition. Yet, with concerted EU-member state efforts, universities can reclaim leadership. Positive cases like Poland's rebound show reversibility. Stakeholders must prioritize academic freedom to sustain world-class higher education.