Challenges to the Academic Freedom of Political Scientists
Academic freedom is increasingly under threat worldwide, particularly in the field of political science. As scholars in this discipline often research and critique political systems, governance, and policy, they are especially vulnerable to political interference, censorship, and intimidation from both governments and non-state actors.
One major challenge to academic freedom for political scientists is authoritarianism. In many countries with authoritarian regimes, political scientists who criticize the government in power or denounce corruption and human rights violations face censorship, loss of employment, or even imprisonment. For example, in countries such as Turkey, China, and Russia, academics have been subjected to state surveillance, persecution, or dismissal for their research and publications critical of the state. These regimes often label critical academics as "foreign agents" or dissidents, further limiting their ability to freely conduct research or engage in public discourse.
In democratic countries, academic freedom also faces challenges, although the mechanisms are more subtle. In some cases, political polarization can lead to external pressures from governments, universities, or the public to curtail politically sensitive research. Governments may cut funding for research perceived as politically biased or ideologically undesirable. In the U.S. and parts of Europe, the rise of right-wing populism has led to increased scrutiny and targeting of academics by political groups who view academia as overly liberal or elitist. Academics conducting research on topics such as race, immigration, and gender are frequently at the center of such confrontations.
Another growing threat comes from market pressures. As universities face increasing financial constraints, they tend to prioritize commercially viable or politically neutral research, which can marginalize critical political research. This trend is compounded by the global rise of neoliberalism, which emphasizes market logic and managerialism in higher education, putting academic freedom in tension with institutional priorities.
This panel welcomes papers that address how, why and to what extent political scientists around the world face challenges to academic freedom, affecting their ability to engage in open and critical research.
Deadline for submitting paper proposals is November 1, 2024.
