Vice‑Chancellor answers questions about the seminar on academic freedom
The third part of the seminar series on academic freedom, which is on Wednesday 18 December, is about the role of universities in conflict areas and the threats that academics and educational institutions face with a focus on responsible internationalisation.
Now the questions will be discussed on Wednesday, but overall, what is the role of universities and specifically Mid Sweden University in conflict areas?
"Mid Sweden University can play different roles when it comes to conflict areas. A couple of examples are that we can help vulnerable researchers in various ways, either on site or by allowing them to come to us and continue their research here. We can contribute with support and help to education at higher education institutions in conflict areas that have lost competence or for other reasons cannot complete their education as intended. As a university, we can also conduct "academic diplomacy" by, when political and other avenues are closed, being an open channel between young people, students, teachers and researchers and Sweden.
Can you give examples of the threats that academics and institutions face?
"The way the world looks today, there are lots of different types of threats. For example, you may be threatened by a regime for various reasons and prevented from conducting your research, you may be threatened by the state of the country, such as war, natural disasters or the like.
What does responsible internationalisation mean?
"The key word in our internationalisation must be openness. After all, the entire global academic community, and internationalisation in particular, is about the open exchange of thoughts, ideas and opinions. In times when threats and security are high on the agenda for many, it is important to continue to safeguard transparency, but at the same time do so in a responsible manner. It is not always an easy balancing act, but perhaps even more important today than it has been for a long time.
What can participants expect from Wednesday's seminar?
"You can expect to know more about what it's like to be a researcher who lives under threat, how we can help, but also what we can learn from them. Hopefully, a lively debate on these issues can also be expected.
Academic Freedom will be held in Östersund on 18 December on the theme "Responsible internationalisation, academic freedom and the war in Gaza". All employees and students are welcome to follow the seminar on site in O213 or live via Youtube.
The seminar series on academic freedom is organized by the Research Council at Mid Sweden University.