Series on Clusters of Excellence. Part 1: SCRIPTS
The Defense of Freedom Begins at Universities
The Cluster of Excellence SCRIPTS examines the global challenges facing liberal democracies, while the Academic Freedom Week highlights how these developments directly affect academic freedom and put scholars at risk. This is part 1 of our new series on the Clusters of Excellence.
A mural depicting the Indian jurist and social reformer Dr. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, who is regarded in India as a symbol of resilience, intellect, and social justice.
Image Credit: Adhitya Sibikumar/unsplash
Democracies and liberal societies around the world are increasingly under pressure. Autocrats and authoritarian parties promise simple solutions to complex issues, gaining growing public support in the process. At the same time, declining trust in established democratic parties, social inequality, and cultural insecurity are fueling the rise of populist movements. Their growing influence demonstrates that challenges to liberal ideas and institutions also emerge from within liberal societies themselves. The Berlin Cluster of Excellence Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS) examines these dynamics from historical, global, and comparative perspectives, asking why liberal orders are becoming unstable – and how they can endure.
As a consequence of these developments, Academic freedom is also under pressure. The Academic Freedom Index 2026 shows global declines, including in Germany, which nevertheless continues to rank comparatively high. Academic freedom, therefore, cannot be taken for granted; it is a value that must be actively protected.
What this means in practice is reflected in the experiences of two visiting scholars who fled countries with particularly low levels of academic freedom and came to Germany. In interviews, they speak about threats in their home countries, starting over in a new environment, and the personal importance of free research. Bringing these perspectives together is one aim of Academic Freedom Week, taking place in Berlin from May 18 - 22 and organized by Scholars at Risk, the Berlin University Alliance, and other national and international partners.
The Academic Freedom Index
The overall trend is unmistakable: academic freedom is under increasing pressure in many parts of the world, often in parallel with the rise of authoritarian politics. The United States illustrates this shift particularly clearly. After decades of consistently high scores on the Academic Freedom Index – around 0.90 until 2020 – the country has seen a sharp decline in recent years, dropping from 0.69 to 0.40 (on a scale from 0 to 1) following Donald Trump’s return to office in 2025. Germany, too, has recorded a slight decrease since 2023, with its score falling from 0.96 to 0.88. Even so, Germany continues to rank among the world’s top 20 countries and remains an attractive destination for international researchers.
Academic Freedom Index
When Liberal Orders Begin to Falter
Across the United States, people are taking to the streets under the slogan “No Kings” to protest the increasingly authoritarian policies of the U.S. government under President Donald Trump.
Image Credit: unsplash
The Cluster of Excellence SCRIPTS examines why liberal democracies around the world are increasingly being challenged – and what can strengthen their resilience.
Across the world, we are currently witnessing how authoritarian forces are increasingly challenging liberal democracies from within. Liberal democracy – the political framework that combines democratic majority rule with the protection of individual rights and freedoms through the rule of law, the separation of powers, and free elections – is facing growing pressure. The Berlin Cluster of Excellence Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS), now in its second funding phase, is dedicated to studying these challenges to liberal societies and democracies from a scholarly perspective.
At the center of research is the concept of the liberal script. As Prof. Tanja Börzel, SCRIPS spokesperson, explains, “A script is like an instruction manual for how societies are organized. It defines, for example, who belongs to a political community, how conflicts are resolved, and how resources are distributed.” The liberal script is based on the relationship between individual and collective self-determination and reflects the core principles of liberal democracy. Alternative scripts include fascism, communism, authoritarianism, and religious fundamentalism.
The first funding phase focused on identifying where challenges to the liberal script come from and why they arise. According to Börzel, conflict and criticism are not only normal within the liberal script but essential to it: “The liberal script depends on criticism and contestation in order to legitimize itself and continue evolving.” This includes internal criticism, for example from those who argue that liberal societies are not inclusive enough and continue to disadvantage minorities based on sexual orientation or background.
“The liberal script is, in fact, quite resilient”
“What we are seeing now, however, is that these contestations are becoming more radical and increasingly directed against the liberal script itself”, the political scientist explains. Multiple crises have strengthened the perception among citizens that the liberal script is no longer delivering on core promises such as equal rights for all. Feelings of disappointment, insecurity, and dissatisfaction are then mobilized by populist parties and movements that fundamentally question liberal democracy — both in public discourse and at the ballot box.
The second funding phase, which has recently begun, now examines what these intensifying contestations mean for the liberal script and how resilient liberal democracies actually are. “Although we are already observing democratic backsliding – the gradual erosion of democratic institutions – in some countries, no liberal democracy has permanently collapsed so far,” says Börzel. “Countries such as Poland and Hungary, where democracy had seriously declined, have also shown signs of recovery. That suggests the liberal script is, in fact, quite resilient.”
According to Börzel, one important indicator of the strength of a liberal script is academic freedom. Science and scholarship play a central role in safeguarding individual freedom and democratic self-determination by fostering critical thinking and validating facts. “Enemies of the liberal script always attack freedom – whether it is individual freedom, freedom of the press, or academic freedom,” she says. In her view, when academic freedom declines, other liberal principles tend to erode as well.
Since 2019, SCRIPTS has been funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) through Germany’s Excellence Strategy. The cluster is based at Freie Universität Berlin and brings together partner institutions including Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Hertie School, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung, Centre for East European and International Studies, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, and 20 international partners. The cluster also collaborates with institutions and actors from politics, culture, and civil society.
Event recommendation:
How do geopolitical tensions affect international cooperation in science? And how can research continue to move forward when science itself is increasingly under pressure? These questions are at the heart of the panel “Science in a Fragmenting World: Rethinking Internationalization”, taking place as part of the International Staff Training Week at Freie Universität Berlin.
The panel brings together perspectives from academia and practice to discuss how research institutions can navigate the tensions between openness and political constraints. It is organised by the Cluster of Excellence SCRIPTS and the Berlin Center for Global Engagement (BCGE) of the Berlin University Alliance. The discussion will be moderated by Tanja Börzel, with panelists including Han Cheng, Harriet Njoki Mboce, and Lora Viola.
Berlin as an Anchor for Research and a Safe Fresh Start in Academia and Professional Life
Fakultät für Freie Künste und Wissenschaften der Staatlichen Universität Sankt Petersburg (auch als Smolny College bekannt) im historischen Gebäude des Bobrinski-Palastes.
Image Credit: Wikimedia
Nikolay B.* is a scholar in social sciences and is originally from Saint Petersburg. About a year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine he and his family decided to leave their home country. After spending some time in a Caucasian country where Russian citizens can stay without a visa, he eventually came to Berlin in July 2025 through the Philipp Schwartz Initiative for Scientists at risk, where he now conducts research as a visiting scxholar at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
Zahra, an IT specialist from Kabul, Afghanistan, came to Technische Universität Berlin in 2018 on a scholarship for afghan students, where she completed her master’s degree. She then returned to Afghanistan and worked in the presidential office. After the Taliban came to power in 2021, TU Berlin brought her back to Germany through its “Bridge-It” program. Today, she works as a development engineer at Deutsche Bahn.
In this interview, they talk about their decision to leave their home-countries, their arrival in Berlin, and what academic freedom means to them.
Nikolay B., you spent more than 12 years conducting research at Smolny College – a liberal arts program developed jointly with Bard College and Saint Petersburg State University that stood for academic openness and critical thinking. When did you reach the point where you decided to leave Russia?
Nikolay B.: Smolny College was, until around 2020, one of the more “liberal” colleges in Russia. Liberal in the sense that there was still a relatively open exchange of views between students and faculty, and critical thinking and debate were actively encouraged. I made a strong effort to uphold that in my teaching as well, always trying to instill certain values in my students—explaining that war, and violence in general, is a sign of weakness, and that people should be free to hold different opinions and perspectives. From 2020 onward, things deteriorated rapidly, and restrictions increased from all sides.
I was always careful to speak indirectly, to phrase things in a coded way, to avoid naming things too explicitly. But it became increasingly difficult. At some point, Bard College—which is a private U.S.-based liberal arts university—was designated by the government as an “undesirable organization.”
That means you’re essentially advised not to work with it, otherwise you could risk criminal prosecution and conviction for alleged “extremist activity”?
Nikolay B.: Exactly. The only category more severe than “undesirable organization,” incidentally, is “terrorist organization.”
My wife had already expressed, from the beginning of the war, a desire to leave the country for safety reasons, and we discussed it extensively. We were both opposed to the war, but we agreed that staying could still allow us to do something meaningful—by sharing our ideas and thoughts with students and colleagues. Then the mobilization for the front began, and we realized we could no longer stay. We left Russia shortly before a letter arrived in our mailbox that I was being drafted to war.
Zahra, after completing your master’s degree at TU Berlin, you returned to Kabul and worked in the government’s presidential office. How did you experience the Taliban taking power on August 15, 2021 – and what was it like for you to return to Berlin?
Zahra A.: From one day to the next, I was banned from working – like all women in Afghanistan. We didn’t just lose our jobs; we effectively lost all rights to live self-determined lives. Through the “Bridge-It”-program, TU Berlin brought me and other alumni from Afghanistan back to Germany. After a few days in a reception centre in Hannover, I finally arrived to Berlin. But my experience during my master’s and my return could not have been more different. Back then, I came as a fellow; this time, I arrived as a refugee. Back then, everything was exciting and new; this time, I was filled with concern for my country, my family, and my friends. Most of all, I knew then that my stay was temporary and that I could return to my family. Now, I don’t know when – or if – I will see them again.
After your arrival, you began learning German intensively, attended an integration course, and supported IT projects at TU Berlin until you connected with Deutsche Bahn through a TU workshop, where you now work as a development engineer. How has life in Germany been for you?
Zahra A.: At first, finding a job was really difficult, and learning the language was just as challenging. Now I work in a team where only German is spoken. That can be quite demanding at times, but it also helps me improve my language skills.
I don’t really have much of a social life outside of work, though. I do meet up occasionally with others from Afghanistan who came here through the program, but I haven’t formed any close friendships yet. I feel that it’s not easy to really get to know Germans and build friendships with them.
What is it like for you, Nikolay? You haven’t been here that long yet.
Nikolay B.: Many of my friends from Russia were already living in Berlin, so from the very beginning I had something like a stable community. That was very helpful. But my goal is still to integrate more and also make German friends. I very much hope that one day I’ll be part of groups where people don’t speak only Russian or English, but German.
Of course, that requires being able to speak the language, and that’s something I still need to work on.
Is there anything you appreciate about Germany?
Zahra A.: One thing I already appreciated during my master’s studies at Technische Universität Berlin is that Germany has many rules – and people generally follow and respect them. I was also impressed by the quality of teaching. And I like that Germany is such a safe country, and that, especially here in Berlin, people are free to decide how they dress or how they live, as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others.
Nikolay B.: In Germany – or I would say in Western Europe – work-life balance is highly valued. In Russia, you might receive an assignment at 10 p.m. that is expected to be completed by 11 p.m. I have not experienced that here in Germany, and I believe people value their working and private lives more. Beyond that, I really appreciate being able to be who I want to be here and do what I want without it being of concern to others – as long as I also respect the freedom of others.
Both of you come from countries where academic freedom is under threat. In Russia, the Academic Freedom Index stands at just 0.18, and in Afghanistan it is even lower at 0.09—both with a declining trend. By comparison, in Germany it is 0.88, although it is also decreasing. Based on your experiences, what does academic freedom mean to you?
Nikolay B.: That’s a difficult question. I think academic freedom is not fundamentally different from freedom in general – it is the ability to say and do what you think, rather than only what you are permitted to say and do. In academia, that also means being able to communicate freely with anyone, about anything, at any time and in any place, of course with mutual respect and consent, and to conduct research without fearing that those in positions of power will misinterpret or instrumentalize it.
At the same time, I believe one should remain constantly aware of the consequences of one’s research – especially in relation to technologies whose potential is not yet fully understood, such as artificial intelligence.
Zahra A.: Academic freedom means being able to say what you think. Of course, it should be grounded in some form of scientific evidence. But in any case, you should be able to express your views without putting yourself or your family in danger. In Afghanistan, that is not possible – you are expected to simply repeat what the current government says. And if you are a woman, you are not even allowed to study what you want, let alone conduct research or work. That is what is fundamentally going wrong in Afghanistan right now.
*name changed by editors.
Berlin-Brandenburg Academic Freedom Week puts academic freedom in the spotlight
From May 18 to 22, 2026, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academic Freedom Week brought together universities, researchers and cultural practitioners to discuss how academic freedom can be safeguarded in the face of global challenges. Aimed at the wider public, the programme featured a broad range of events, including panel discussions, information sessions and film screenings. One of the highlights was the panel discussion “Academic Freedom at Risk: European Universities Between Resilience and Responsibility”, held on May 20 in the Senate Hall of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
European Universities Between Resilience and Responsibility
Following opening remarks by French Ambassador François Delattre, Andrea Fleschenberg dos Ramos Pinéu and Khoo Ying Hooi presented key findings from the workshop “(Re-)Constructing Solidarity: Connecting Academic Freedom Worldwide.” Jay Rowell then shared insights from the roundtable “Transnational Perspectives on Academic Freedom.” Both events had taken place earlier during Academic Freedom Week.
What Responsibilities Do European Universities Have?
The subsequent panel discussion brought together Julia von Blumenthal, president of HU Berlin, Markus Hilgert, president of the University of Arts Belrin (UdK), Pierre-Paul Zalio, president of the Paris social sciences Campus Condorcet and independent researcher Sevil Çakır. The discussion focused on the responsibilities of European universities at a time when academic freedom is increasingly under threat, how resilient institutions currently are, and how that resilience can be strengthened. The panel was moderated by science journalist Jan-Martin Wiarda.
Participants agreed that academic freedom cannot be understood in one-dimensional terms. On the one hand, it is essential to protect researchers who are individually at risk; on the other, universities themselves must also be protected from political and societal attacks. According to Çakır, threats to academic freedom can take subtle forms, including precarious working conditions, funding cuts and growing competitive pressures. Solidarity among academics – particularly with international partner institutions – was described as especially important.
“Universities Are a Reflection of Society”
Responding to the question of whether academic freedom can also be threatened from within academia itself, von Blumenthal stressed: “Universities are a reflection of society.” If anti-democratic or far-right ideologies gain support outside the university, she argued, these developments are also reflected within academic institutions. In this context, she emphasised the importance of continuously raising awareness of the special value of academic freedom.
Respectful Debate as a Democratic Necessity
During the final Q&A session, participants called for greater attention to the role of students, who make up the majority of university communities. In closing – also in response to a small protest during the event – Hilgert once again underlined the importance of academic freedom and a respectful culture of debate within society. Listening to one another and maintaining mutual respect, even in the face of fundamentally different opinions, he said, is essential.
The week of events was organised by the Scholars at Risk Berlin-Brandenburg network and the Berlin University Alliance, with support from the French Embassy, Institut Français Deutschland and the Philipp Schwartz Initiative. Numerous academic and cultural institutions from the Berlin-Brandenburg region also contributed to the programme, including Centre Marc Bloch, Campus Condorcet and Bard College.
Held annually, the Academic Freedom Week provides a platform for exchange on initiatives such as those of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the German Academic Exchange Service. Its aim is to strengthen networks and develop joint strategies to safeguard academic freedom in the long term.