Amid unpredictable geopolitical shifts, the steadfast commitment to academic freedom and hospitality is under growing pressure—including within Europe. The 2025 Scholars at Risk Report and the latest data from the Academic Freedom Index (AFi) point to a global decline in academic freedom, with the contraction of academic space accelerating over the past decade. In response, worldwide initiatives are working to reverse this trend by promoting awareness and solidarity and by advocating for concrete protection mechanisms for scholars, artists, and students.

In 2026, the Academic Freedom Week will unfold under the themes of protection and (re)construction. Guided by this shared focus, we propose to examine the complex dynamics shaping the individual trajectories of at-risk academics and artists who are compelled to begin anew within unfamiliar communities. At the same time, we seek to reflect on effective strategies and practices aimed at safeguarding and reconstructing academic freedom at both regional and transnational levels.

The Academic Freedom Week 2026 is a product of a collaborative effort from the partners of Berlin University Alliance and the member universities of the Scholars at-risk Section Berlin-Brandenburg to advocate for the protection of academic freedom worldwide and programmes for at-risk scholars. Through events across Berlin and Brandenburg and partnerships with European and international scientific and cultural actors, the week strengthens engagement with academic freedom within and beyond academic communities.

Commitment to hosting at-risk scholars and artists remain strong among Berlin- Brandenburg universities who have hosted a large number of fellows in the last ten years. They have formed in 2023 a regional Scholars at-risk Section, bringing resources and know-how together to strengthen regional and transnational support structures for scholars and artists who fled their countries of origins because of war or persecutions. Hosting programmes continue to provide vital support for these scholars and artists. Over the last decade, they have adapted as effectively as possible to increasingly challenging conditions, including a rise in armed conflicts, the spread of autocratic policies, and growing anti-immigration discourse.

Program and registration will soon be announced.

Organized by

• Scholars at Risk Berlin-Brandenburg; Bard College, Universität der Künste, Universität Potsdam, Filmuniversität Babelsberg Konrad Wolf, Viadrina etc.
• Berlin University Alliance: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Technische Universität Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin; Charité– Universitätsmedizin; Berlin Center for Global Engagement