Threats to research – and the scientific breakthroughs

Successful, knowledge-driven, and socially relevant research depends on academic freedom. Researchers must have the right to freely choose their research questions, methods, and how they wish to communicate their findings – without facing external pressure.

Yet recently, research funding has been withdrawn without notice, collaborations have been cancelled, data access has been restricted, researchers have been unable to attend conferences, and many commonly used terms have been flagged as problematic. When democratic values are under threat, research risks being constrained by external forces and political control.

In Sweden and elsewhere, several academic fields are also struggling to attract students. Without new students progressing to doctoral studies and research careers, these fields risk being hollowed out. How serious are these risks, what consequences might they have, and what can we do to counter this trend?

Welcome to an important conversation about how we can safeguard science in a troubled world.