Academic Freedom Forum

How can universities effectively protect and promote academic freedom, also as a human right, particularly in contexts of political repression, censorship, or social polarization?

This theme explores individual and institutional strategies, policies, and mechanisms to defend and promote academic freedom on campus and beyond.

How can universities, their members, and the wider public provide meaningful and sustained support for at-risk students and researchers as well as well as human rights defenders- and in how far does this contribute to enhancing democratic values?

This theme focuses on effective strategies, mechanisms, and networks to support and empower at-risk scholars, students, and human rights defenders, and to strengthen democratic resilience.

How can universities and their members advance human rights and democratic values within and beyond the campus?

This theme examines how academic citizenship, institutional responsibility, and public engagement can reinforce human rights, democratic values, and academic freedom.

What does university resilience in today’s (geo-)political context entail, and how can universities uphold truth, integrity, intellectual openness, and democratic values?

This theme reflects on the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, public pressure, and misinformation, and highlights the critical role of ethical leadership and institutional responsibility and innovation.

What does “responsible” global engagement and international partnership look like—particularly between institutions across the Global Majority and Minority world and those operating in challenging contexts?

This theme explores equitable, ethical, and mutually beneficial approaches to international research collaboration, institutional partnerships, and transnational networks. It highlights how such collaborations can address global societal challenges while fostering trust, reciprocity, long-term impact, and the protection of academic freedom and human rights.

• 5-7:30 p.m. | Documentary Film Screening „The Woman who Poked the Leopard“ & Discussion/Conversation with Dr. Stella Nyanzi (Protagonist, PSI Fellow, Ruhr University Bochum) & Patience Nitumwesiga (Director)
  
  By Patience Nitumwesiga
  Uganda/South Africa/Germany/USA
  
  Winner of DEFA Sponsoring Prize, VER.DI Prize for Solidarity, Humanity & Fairness
  Moderated by Jun.-Prof. Dr. Leon Gabriel (Chair Transnational Theatre & PI Emmy Noether-Research Group „"Dramaturgies in the Afterlife of Violence: Transnational Theatre Between Global South and North", Ruhr University Bochum) & Balindile ka Ngcobo (Doctoral Researcher, Ruhr University Bochum)

• 10:00-11:30 a.m. | Pre-Forum Workshops
  
  for Researchers and Faculty:
  Navigating Democratic Backsliding, Post-Truth and Attacks on Academic Freedom
  Chair/Keynote: Prof. Dr. Stephan Lewandowsky (Chair in Cognitive Psychology, University of Bristol, Honorary Professor University Potsdam University, Lead Author of the Anti-Autocracy Handbook: A Scholar´s Guide to Navigating Democratic Backsliding)
  
  for Students:
  Confronting Democratic Backsliding: Students as Advocates of Academic Freedom, Human Rights, and Democratic Resilience
  Impulse Note: Katariina Järve (Executive Committee Member, European Student Union)
  Chairs: Prof. Adam Braver (Coordinator SAR Student Advocacy Seminars, Scholars at Risk Network) & N.N. (Student, Ruhr University Bochum)

• 12:00-1:00 p.m. | Arrival & Registration of Participants

• 1:00 p.m. | Welcome & Introduction
  
  Dr. Maximilian Schell (PI WUN RDF Project Academic Freedom as a Driver of Sustainable Development? Regional Perspectives on the Roles of Academia) & Iris Vernekohl (Senior Policy Advisor for Global Engagement, Ruhr University Bochum)

• 1:05 p.m. | Welcome Greetings & Welcome Note
  Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Martin Paul (Rector, Ruhr University Bochum)

• 1:15 p.m. | Keynote Speech & Q&A Session (hybrid)
  „Truth Matters“: Defending the University in Times of Public Uncertainty"
  
  Robert Quinn (Founding Executive Director, Scholars at Risk Network)

• 2:00 p.m. | Universities as Guardians of Academic Freedom, Human Rights, and Democratic Values in Uncertain Times— A Shared Responsibility
  
  Moderator:
  Prof. Dr. Sören Urbansky (Chair for Eastern European History, Ruhr University Bochum)
  
  Panelists:
  Prof. Dr. Sandra Goulart Almeida (President, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) & Latin American and Caribbean Higher Education Space (ENLACES))
  Dr. Mmeli Dube (African Universities Hub for Human Rights Defenders, University of the Western Cape)
  Katariina Järve (Executive Committee Member, European Student Union)
  Prof. Dr. Isolde Karle (Vice-Rector for Diversity, Inclusion and Talent Development, Ruhr University Bochum)
  Prof. Dr. Stephan Lewandowsky (Chair in Cognitive Psychology, University of Bristol, Honorary Professor University Potsdam University, Project Lead PRODEMINFO - Protecting the Democratic Information Space in Europe)
  Dr. Egemen Özbeck (Academy in Exile /TU Dortmund U), tbc

• 3:15 p.m. | Tea/Coffee Break

• 3:45 p.m. | Academic Freedom as a Human Right. Challenges and Progress Around the World
  
  Moderator:
  Prof. Dr. Pierre Thielbörger (Executive Director Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV) & Chair for Public Law and Public International Law, Ruhr University Bochum)
  
  Panelists:
  Prof. Dr. Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua (Executive Director, Africa Coalition for Academic Freedom/U Ghana/WUN/Global Campus of Human Rights)
  Meline Avagyan (Policy Analyst, Global Campus of Human Rights), tbc
  Dr. Camilla Croso (Executive Director, Coalition for Academic Freedom in the Americas)
  Prof. Dr. Liviu Matei (Head of the King's School of Education, Communication & Society, King´s College London/Global Observatory on Academic Freedom/Magna Charta Observatory)
  Dr. Bencharat Sae Chua (Executive Director Southeast Asia Coalition for Academic Freedom, U Mahidol/WUN/Global Campus of Human Rights)

• 5:00 p.m. | Wrap Up Day 1 & Outlook Day 2
  Dr Maximilian Schell (Ruhr University Bochum) & Iris Vernekohl (Ruhr University Bochum)

• 5:15-6:15 p.m. | Networking Reception (all)

• 7:00-9:30 p.m. | Dinner for Speakers (by invitation only)
  

• 9:00 a.m. | Welcome, Wrap Up Day 1 & Overview Day 2
  
  Dr Maximilian Schell (Post-Doctoral Researcher, Ruhr University Bochum) & Iris Vernekohl (Senior Policy Advisor for Global Engagement, Ruhr University Bochum)

• 9:15 a.m. | Qu(e)ering Academic Freedom – Perspectives from Iran, South Africa, Uganda and Germany
  
  Chair: Dr. Stella Nyanzi, PSI Fellow, Ruhr University Bochum
  
  Speakers:
  Prof. Zintombizethu (zethu) Matebeni (Visiting Professor, Centre for Women & Gender Studies, Nelson Mandela University), Dr. Mitra Shamsi (Centre for Advanced Internet Studies), Prof. Dr. Julia Bee (Chair Gender Media Studies, RUB)

• 10:45 a.m. | Tea/Coffee Break

• 11:00 a.m. | Parallel Thematic Working Group Sessions
  Different Formats: Workshops, WorldCafe, Fishbowl Discussions etc.
  
  WG 1a) Academic Freedom as a Driver of Sustainable Development? Regional Perspectives on the Roles of Academia
  Chair: Dr Maximilian Schell (Ruhr University Bochum & PI WUN RDF Project Academic Freedom as a Driver of Sustainable Development? Regional Perspectives on the Roles of Academia)
  
  WG 1b): Diaspora (Dis-)Connected Academy: Challenges, Opportunities and Impact of Transnational Academic Citizenship
  Chair: Dr. Olena Zinenko (Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict, Ruhr University Bochum)

• 12:30 p.m. | Lunch Break

• 1:30 p.m. | Parallel Thematic Working Group Sessions, Part 2
  
  WG 2a): Re-imagining Global Engagement in a Fragmented and Volatile World: Towards Academic Freedom, Solidarity, and Responsibility
  Chair: Iris Vernekohl (Ruhr University Bochum & Utrecht Network Task Force „Responsible Internationalization and Global Engagement“)
  Impuls Note: Dr. Samia Chasi (Head: Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships, University of Witwatersrand), tbc; Rene Teunissen (Erasmus University Rotterdam), tbc
  
  WG 2b) Trauma-Informed Approaches to Supporting Scholars at Risk (and Their Mentors): Building Resilience and Wellbeing in Exile (for PSI Fellows/Researchers/Students at Risk and their mentors, by invitation only)
  Chair: Tetiana Gorokhova (Centre for Advanced Internet Studies)

• 3:00 p.m. | Wrap Up & Outlook: Strengthening the Role of Academia/Universities in Advancing Academic Freedom, Human Rights, and Democracy in a Fragmented World: How to Gain Momentum?
  
  Moderators:
  Iris Vernekohl & Dr. Maximilian Schell (Ruhr University Bochum)
  
  Speakers:
  Workshop Rapporteurs

• 3:30 p.m. | Garden of Refuge Walk & Solidarity Picnic | RUB Botanical Gardens
  Student Advocacy Event (Exhibition/Performances) in RUB Botanical Garden as part of SAR Advocacy Seminar 2026, together with Prof. Adam Braver (SAR Network), Students/Scholars in Exile

• 5:30 p.m. | Farewell & Good Bye. End of Forum/Festival