Anna-Sara Lind leads inquiry on academic freedom
Anna-Sara Lind, Professor of Public Law, has been commissioned by the government to lead an inquiry on how academic freedom can be strengthened. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
The government is appointing an inquiry to strengthen academic freedom in Sweden. The inquiry will be led by Anna-Sara Lind, Professor of Public Law at Uppsala University. The inquiry has instructions to report by 30 June 2026.
“When other countries dismantle it, Sweden must stand up for academic freedom. In this country, researchers must be allowed to be free, curious and a little awkward. This is the recipe for world-class research and education, this is the way to safeguard an open climate for debate,” says Johan Pehrson, Minister for Education, in a press release.
The situation in Sweden has deteriorated, as demonstrated by the fact that four out of ten university employees report having been subjected to threats or harassment.
As inquiry chair, Anna-Sara Lind is required to analyse and take a position on whether the current regulatory framework is effective in protecting the individual academic freedom of researchers and teachers at universities and other higher education institutions in Sweden.
Her remit also includes considering whether, and if so how, support for researchers and teachers in matters relating to their academic freedom can be strengthened and making any necessary legislative proposals.
Åsa Malmberg