EP publishes Academic Freedom Monitor 2024

At a conference on 5 February 2025, the European Parliament's Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) presented the 2024 edition of the Academic Freedom Monitor. The publication consists of two studies providing key findings and policy options. The first study, 'Analysis of the state of de facto academic freedom in the EU', examines various measurements of academic freedom across the EU Member States. It also analyses the main threats to academic freedom and their impacts in 10 Member States through a qualitative data analysis, with input from stakeholder organisations and academic experts. The second study, 'Overview of de jure academic freedom protection', gives an overview of constitutional provisions on academic freedom protection in all Member States. It also offers an in-depth analysis of constitutional protection of academic freedom in four Member States and examines the EU's scope of action on academic freedom.

Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, President Roberta Metsola, DG Marc Lemaître, MEP Christian Ehler and the former NL Minister of Research Robbert Dijkgraaf took part in the workshop. Here are some takeaways:

• EP President Roberta Metsola emphasised that if Europe wants to be a leader in fields such as AI, quantum, biotech, clean tech, etc., it needs researchers who can think freely, take on challenges and push boundaries. "Without academic freedom, there is no competitiveness", Ms Metsola said.
• Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva also underlined the fact that academic freedom is essential for competitiveness, e.g. in order to attract the best talents. She reiterated her support for the EP resolution on academic freedom and referred to the study mentioned at the hearing. Based on this, the EC will present a legislative proposal as part of its ERA Act in 2026.
• DG Marc Lemaître highlighted the distinction between 'academic freedom' and 'freedom of scientific research'. With regard to the legal basis, the EC will focus on the freedom of scientific research, where the EC can take action with reference to the ERA. Academic freedom, by contrast, has its main focus on higher education, which is the responsibility of the Member States.
• Undersecretary of State Andrzej Szeptycki (PL) said that "the legal framework is sometimes not enough", stressing that academic freedom requires several instruments. Mr. Szeptycki stated that the Polish EU Council Presidency will address the topic in various dossiers, e.g. the ERA Policy Agenda, or the Conclusions on AI in science.
• Milena Žic Fuchs, member of the ERC Scientific Council, pleaded not to break off cooperation with China. She also underlined the ERC's role in innovation: over 40 percent of patents in Europe are ERC-related.
• MEP Christian Ehler stated that there was no crisis of academic freedom in Europe, but that there were constant little threats. The EU should aim at including academic freedom in the EU Treaties in the next amendment of the Treaties. Mr. Ehler was also very clear on the issue of FP10 which, he stated, the EP wants to be a separate programme, and not part of a future Competitiveness Fund.

The study can be downloaded here:

EP Academic Freedom Monitor 2024: Key findings and policy options