The Berlin-Brandenburg Academic Freedom Week, taking place from 18 to 22 May 2026, will focus on strategies for safeguarding academic freedom at regional and international levels. Under the title “Academic Freedom – Safeguarding and (Re-)constructing Space, Networks, and Knowledge”, the week-long event will feature workshops, panel discussions and exchanges on protection programmes for researchers and artists at risk. The programme has been organised by the Scholars at Risk Section Berlin-Brandenburg, the Berlin University Alliance and their partner institutions.
Julia von Blumenthal, President of Humboldt University: “Humboldt University is firmly and consistently committed to academic freedom. Currently, for example, we are supporting fellows from Gaza and Sudan through the Philipp Schwarzt Initiative and the Hilde Domin Programme. At the same time, we recognise the need to do even more. Academic Freedom Week aims to develop sustainable approaches in this regard.”
Between exile and research: A scholar on freedom and new beginnings
A visiting scholar at Humboldt University in Berlin explains what it means to leave his home in Saint Petersburg with his family in order to continue researching and teaching freely. His story is representative of many researchers who suffer political repression and seek new opportunities abroad.
Interview with a visiting scholar from Saint Petersburg at Humboldt University in exile: “Academic freedom means researching without fear”
Events at Humboldt University during Academic Freedom Week
Monday, 18 May, 4–6 pm: Opening and guided tour of the exhibition “Standing for Freedom: Portraits of Scientists in Exile”. The exhibition features 15 portraits of scientists and explores the theme of exile from various perspectives. The two initiators, the researcher Pascale Laborier and the photographer Pierre-Jérôme Adjedj, will be present at the opening.
Wednesday, 20 May, 1 pm to 5 pm: “Centre Marc Bloch Roundtables: Transnational Perspectives on Academic Freedom”. In two discussion sessions, academics and experts will discuss international examples of academic spaces under threat and the capacity for action of European research structures. The keynote address will be given by Stephanie Balme from Sciences Po Paris.
Wednesday, 20 May, 5.30–7.30 pm: Panel discussion “Academic Freedom in Danger: European Universities between Resilience and Responsibility” with Prof. Dr Julia von Blumental, President of Humboldt University, Prof. Dr Markus Hilgert, President of the Berlin University of the Arts, and Prof. Dr Pierre-Paul Zalio, President of Campus Condorcet in Paris, a research campus for the humanities and social sciences comprising Parisian universities, and Dr Sevil Çakır, independent researcher.
The opening address will be given by the French Ambassador to Germany, François Delattre. Moderator: Jan-Martin Wiarda. The discussion will explore how universities can safeguard their academic freedom, protect researchers at risk and, at the same time, remain open, inclusive and internationally connected, despite anti-democratic tendencies and limited financial resources.
The events are made possible with the support of the Berlin University Alliance, the French Embassy in Germany, the Institut Français Germany and the Philipp Schwartz Initiative.
Berlin-Brandenburg Academic Freedom Week
Berlin-Brandenburg Academic Freedom Week was launched in 2022 by Humboldt University and is taking place for the third time under its leadership, for the first time in collaboration with the Regional Network Scholars-at-risk Berlin-Brandenburg and the Berlin University Alliance. During this year’s Berlin-Brandenburg Academic Freedom Week, numerous events will take place at universities and research institutions in Berlin and Brandenburg. The programme includes art exhibitions, public panels featuring internationally renowned academics and artists, as well as workshops and lectures.