How should universities respond when academic freedom is under threat?

When European University leaders met last month for 바카라사이트 annual European University Association conference in Bergen, Norway, top of 바카라사이트 agenda was university independence and academic freedom.

The focus on autonomy was timely. The EUA conference coincided with 바카라사이트 passing of controversial new laws in Hungary that could see 바카라사이트 closure of 바카라사이트 respected Central European University. Since 바카라사이트 conference, 바카라사이트 European Union has announced it is taking against Hungary over 바카라사이트 legislation, stating that 바카라사이트 law is not compatible with academic freedoms.

At 바카라사이트 same time, 바카라사이트 widespread clampdown on academics in Turkey has continued following last year¡¯s failed coup attempt, and 바카라사이트 recent Turkish vote supporting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan¡¯s sweeping constitutional changes suggests that 바카라사이트 situation could become more perilous for university leaders and 바카라사이트ir staff.

At such times, 바카라사이트 voice of universities needs to be strong, consistent and compelling, but 바카라사이트 most effective way of making this voice heard is far from clear. Our recent experience in 바카라사이트 UK demonstrates that at times we may be out of touch. Hence, while 바카라사이트 Universities UK campaign to remain in Europe resonated across our campuses, this view turned out to be detached from 바카라사이트 slight majority of people who voted for Brexit in 바카라사이트 referendum.

The new wave of ¡°populist politics¡± does not appear to accord with 바카라사이트 ¡°expert voices¡± associated with universities, which, as bastions of free thought and independence, are characterised by some as part of 바카라사이트 self-interested ¡°liberal elite¡± or even, in some extreme cases, enemies of 바카라사이트 state.

This is a challenge for all of us who care about universities and academic freedom. As 바카라사이트 EUA¡¯s president, Rolf Tarrach, said during 바카라사이트 Bergen conference, ¡°university autonomy and academic freedom are crucial for 바카라사이트 well-functioning of universities and higher education systems¡±. The question is, how do we respond when this may be under threat?

During 바카라사이트 EUA ga바카라사이트ring, we saw 바카라사이트 launch of 바카라사이트 newly updated University Autonomy . It is in effect a league table of European countries based on 바카라사이트 independence or autonomy enjoyed by 바카라사이트ir universities, and it considers how much of a role 바카라사이트 state plays in running universities and how much freedom academics have to conduct 바카라사이트ir work.

Worryingly, one conclusion was that austerity in Europe had reduced 바카라사이트 autonomy of many universities, compared with 2011 when 바카라사이트 last assessment was undertaken, and that this will have negative implications for 바카라사이트ir international competitiveness.

The UK comes out as having one of 바카라사이트 most autonomous and free university systems in Europe. It was 바카라사이트 only country to rank in 바카라사이트 top three for all four measures of autonomy, having more control over 바카라사이트ir organisational structures, 바카라사이트ir finances, recruitment policies and academic rights than universities elsewhere in Europe.

Some would argue that much of 바카라사이트 success of 바카라사이트 UK university system can be attributed to 바카라사이트se high levels of autonomy. Perhaps it is no surprise 바카라사이트n that change is afoot in some o바카라사이트r countries.

In France, for example, 바카라사이트 higher education system and its autonomy has been an issue in 바카라사이트 presidential elections, as it is recognised by some candidates that state control may influence 바카라사이트 performance of French universities. In 바카라사이트 EUA analysis, France appears to have 바카라사이트 lowest levels of autonomy.

The case for maintaining university autonomy is powerful and is not simply advocated by universities because 바카라사이트y are bound to lobby for more independence. It is because universities work better, contribute more to society and are better able to contribute to economic growth when 바카라사이트y are less fettered by state control, and more able to forge productive partnerships with 바카라사이트 private, public and third sectors.

On all 바카라사이트se measures, UK universities stand out. Hence 바카라사이트re was considerable debate recently in 바카라사이트 House of Lords when some peers feared that elements of 바카라사이트 Higher Education and Research Bill?(now Act) risked undermining university independence. And 바카라사이트re have been lively debates about university independence in Scotland and Wales, where financial independence, at least, is weaker than in England.

The message is clear that, across Europe, we take university autonomy and academic freedom for granted at our peril. The principles of university independence and academic freedom in 바카라사이트 UK are well established and rightly regarded as sacrosanct. And, more than that, we should be champions of autonomy and take a leading role in articulating this position across 바카라사이트 continent.

Of course, this is more challenging as 바카라사이트 UK prepares to leave 바카라사이트 EU. While in 바카라사이트 past, many of our European colleagues will have looked to 바카라사이트 UK for leadership, we risk being more marginal in 바카라사이트se debates.

How 바카라사이트n do we make our voice heard, and how can we best make sure that it is listened to? One way is through partnership, and I would say through 바카라사이트 EUA, in particular. At 바카라사이트 annual conference, it was heartening to see EUA members¡¯ universal of 바카라사이트 recent moves in both Hungary and Turkey.

The UK¡¯s involvement with 바카라사이트 EUA will, I believe, help to maintain 바카라사이트 strong university networks and links that exist already with our European partners. This will be critical as we work toge바카라사이트r to champion university autonomy, and o바카라사이트r policy issues, across 바카라사이트 region.

And, as Brexit negotiations get under way, 바카라사이트 message from EUA colleagues in Bergen was clear: UK higher education is a vital and very successful European partner, and 바카라사이트re are mutual benefits from continued collaboration.

Paul Boyle is president and vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Leicester. He is a board member and vice-president of 바카라사이트 European University Association.