Frameworks of reference for the protection and promotion of academic freedom: institutional, national and supra-national. What works best? – Conference Report
29 May 2026
This report presents the main discussions, reflections, and key messages emerging from Higher Education CAPITALs 2026, organised jointly by UNICA – the Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe – and the Global Observatory on Academic Freedom (GOAF) at King’s College London on 7–8 May 2026.
The conference, titled “Frameworks of Reference for the Protection and Promotion of Academic Freedom: Institutional, National and Supra-national – What Works Best?”, brought together university leaders, researchers, policymakers, civil society representatives, and international organisations to examine current challenges to academic freedom and discuss possible institutional, national, and international responses.
This year, the event took place in the framework of the 25th anniversary of Scholars the Scholars At Risk.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.