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 at risk. Hosting programmes – such as the Philipp Schwartz Initiative and the Martin Roth Initiative - 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.

In 2026, the Academic Freedom Week will unfold under the themes of safeguarding 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 the Scholars at-risk Section Berlin-Brandenburg together with the Berlin University Alliance and the member universities 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.

Program and registration will soon be announced.

Main Organisers

Scholars at Risk Berlin-Brandenburg | Berlin University Alliance

Universities, Institutions, Centres (alphabetical):

Bard College | Berlin Center for Global Engagement| BUA Cluster of Excellence SCRIPTS | BUA Postdoc Academy| Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin | Centre Marc Bloch |Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder)| Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF | Freie Universität Berlin | Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin | Institut Francais Berlin| Technische Universität Berlin | Universität der Künste Berlin | Universität Potsdam

with the support of: Berlin University Alliance, Ambassade de France en Allemagne, Institut Francais Deutschland, and Philipp Schwartz-Initiative