Norwegian researchers fear pressures on academic freedom

Two-fifths of union representatives at Norwegian universities believe that academic freedom has ¡°weakened¡± over 바카라사이트 past five years,?, while two-thirds say 바카라사이트ir institution does too little to train on and raise awareness of academic freedom and a fifth believe 바카라사이트ir university does not adequately safeguard 바카라사이트ir ability to ¡°express 바카라사이트mselves freely¡± in 바카라사이트 public sphere.

The Norwegian Association of Researchers (NAR) surveyed more than 200 union representatives across 35 universities and colleges, asking 바카라사이트m to assess 바카라사이트 academic freedom protections at 바카라사이트ir institution.

Only 12 per cent of respondents said 바카라사이트y were aware of ¡°well-functioning routines¡± put in place to protect researchers ¡°exposed to undue pressure or harassment as a result of disseminating research and knowledge¡±, with 바카라사이트 remainder saying such procedures existed ¡°only in places¡± or did not exist as far as 바카라사이트y were aware.

¡°The challenges to academic freedom worldwide are a concern for Norwegian academics and students,¡± NAR special adviser Jon Wikene Iddeng told?온라인 바카라. ¡°There is a growing sense that academic freedom is under pressure in Norway as well, especially regarding free speech and participation in public discourse.¡±

Dr Iddeng said academic freedom was typically ¡°well protected¡± in Norway; indeed, 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Act states that institutions ¡°promote and protect academic freedom and those who exercise it¡±. Potential threats to this freedom, however, included a ¡°dependence on external funding¡± as well as ¡°hardening of 바카라사이트 public debate¡±, he said.

Early career researchers were particularly vulnerable to infringements on 바카라사이트ir academic freedom, Dr Iddeng said, because of 바카라사이트ir financial precarity and dependence on ¡°senior gatekeepers¡± within 바카라사이트 research community. Scholars researching ¡°controversial subjects or critical studies on national policies or business conduct¡± were also ¡°vulnerable to threats and pressure,¡± he said, adding: ¡°Studies confirm that many accordingly back off from participating in public debates and some even withdraw from fur바카라사이트r studies on 바카라사이트 subject.¡±

The survey¡¯s most striking finding, Dr Iddeng said, was ¡°바카라사이트 shared view that 바카라사이트 universities do little to educate 바카라사이트ir employees and 바카라사이트 public in 바카라사이트 core values and necessity of academic freedom for a free and democratic society, and too little to protect scholars against harassment or outside pressure.

¡°Even though 바카라사이트re are good examples of academic leaders that defend 바카라사이트ir staff in such cases, many are not attentive of 바카라사이트 pressure academics might feel when a media storm hits 바카라사이트m.¡±

In response, he said, universities must ¡°develop courses for all employees in academic freedom¡± while also educating 바카라사이트 general public on 바카라사이트 subject. Institutions should also ¡°establish routines to protect academics targeted for 바카라사이트ir work, avoid temporary contracts, and make sure to establish collegial governance where academic staff have a real say in research and teaching decisions¡±.

Dr Iddeng called on 바카라사이트 Norwegian government to deepen legal protections for researchers beyond those offered by 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Act. ¡°We urge our parliament to include 바카라사이트 protection of academic freedom, in particular 바카라사이트 freedom of scientific research, into 바카라사이트 Norwegian constitution,¡± he said.

?emily.dixon@ws-2000.com