She is investigating support for academic freedom in Sweden

“My job is to analyse the current regulatory framework and decide whether we can strengthen the support for academic freedom available to teachers and researchers and, if so, how,” says Anna-Sara Lind.

She was given a short time frame – just over a year – and wants to talk to as many people as possible. So she organised three regional meetings around the country – one in Malmö for all higher education institutions (HEIs) in southern Sweden, one in Umeå for HEIs in the north, and one in Uppsala for HEIs in central Sweden.

“This is designed as an open inquiry. I want to talk to anyone who wants to get in touch. And I have to open things up so that as many people as possible can contribute their views – not just in the consultative procedure,” says Anna-Sara Lind.

Enjoys visiting HEIs

She has also arranged digital follow-up meetings for anyone unable to attend in person, and enjoys visiting HEIs when invited. She is supported by research secretaries Sara Monaco and Erika Stjärnström.

At each meeting, they meet with vice-chancellors and deputy vice-chancellors, as well as ten researchers per university who have been selected by the universities themselves. Anna-Sara Lind gives her presentation and shares her inventory of problems in terms of threats and challenges. This is followed by a discussion.

“I’ve received a lot of positive comments. People are recording their views and sending in research reports and supporting documentation. This is something I’m grateful for and encourage.”

Focus on the individual

The assignment is narrowly defined: she is not to investigate the form of association or funding of HEIs. Instead, the focus is on academic freedom for the individual – the researcher or teacher at a Swedish university.

“I believe that we in academia need to look inward and reflect on how we talk about our mission and how we live our mission. This is not something that is obvious to everyone, as you have so much to do as both a leader and a researcher. But you have to raise your gaze a little,” says Anna-Sara Lind.

As part of her assignment, she wants to explain the special role that HEIs play in our society; the link between democracy, rule of law and academia. And what it means to be a researcher.

“There is so much that needs to be in place for individuals to enjoy strong academic freedom. I often say that you need a platform. You need predictability, funding, appointment and a collegial environment, and you need to feel secure when you go to work.”

A harsher discussion climate

Of late, the discussion climate within academia has become harsher and more polarised. A study from the University of Gothenburg shows that 4 out of 10 university employees say they have experienced threats or harassment. Being subjected to pressure in various ways can lead to self-censorship and violations of freedom of expression, notes Anna-Sara Lind.

“Johan Persson put it very well at the press conference when he presented this inquiry: ‘We want researchers who aren’t afraid to be uncomfortable and who stand up for research. How can we ensure that we do this as well as possible so that they are as strong as possible?’ That’s the idea behind this. And it’s clear that when everything else is in flux, we should be able to rely on the science.”

Annica Hulth