Academic freedom is under pressure, as stated by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). For instance, scientists are increasingly required to secure funding from companies and other governments. The space for independent research is shrinking, and the risk of influence is growing, the scientific society said two weeks ago.
Additionally, there is the desire from education minister Eppo Bruins for certain bachelor’s programmes to switch from English to Dutch. According to the KNAW, this interference with the language of instruction violates the autonomy of universities and colleges.
Accessibility
But Minister Bruins disagrees with this criticism, as he indicated in a letter to the House of Representatives on Friday. He believes his plans to promote the use of Dutch do not infringe on academic freedom. Moreover, since the government pays for education, it is entitled to have a say in the matter.
In Bruins’ words: “Academic freedom does not mean that the government cannot make choices regarding the efficiency (funding) and accessibility of publicly funded education.”
For ‘independent research’, driven by the curiosity of the scientists themselves, there is a different consideration. Bruins stated: “I believe it is important for the government to be cautious when it comes to direct control over research and knowledge transfer, in line with the constitutional freedom to organise education and research.”
Screening does clash
The KNAW also raised concerns about an upcoming bill on knowledge security. In the future, master’s students and researchers who come into contact with sensitive information will need to be pre-screened by the government.
Bruins acknowledges that this proposal is at odds with academic freedom. Screening clashes with the open nature of the sciences. However, knowledge security is also important. He aims to intervene as precisely as possible to minimise the impact on individuals. It is likely that the screenings will involve a maximum of ten thousand scientists and students per year, as previously indicated.
Activist scientists
In his letter, the minister does not propose any new policies. He does express consideration to strengthen the anchoring of academic freedom in law, but he wants first to seek advice from the KNAW regarding this matter.
The same applies to the question of how activist scientists may be. Do protesting researchers exercise their academic freedom or their right to freedom of expression, just like other citizens? According to Bruins, there are ‘concerns’ about this, although he did not specify from whom, and he would like the KNAW to examine it.
Urgent call
The minister is generally reluctant to name specific individuals or parties. He concludes with an ‘urgent call’ to politicians in the House of Representatives. They must be ‘vigilant’ about their own role in safeguarding academic freedom, the security of researchers, and the trust in science.
Bruins remarked: “Give the academic sector the freedom to define these values for themselves and the security to work on them structurally. And get to know science and scientists. Trust begins with mutual understanding.”
This was written by the minister before the PVV left the cabinet. He did not specify who he intended to address with his call. His spokesperson was unable to provide details. On Tuesday afternoon, he is set to debate academic freedom with the House of Representatives – if it proceeds as planned.
