• External knowledge institution

• Evaluation

• Diversity,
• Inclusion & Participation

Powerful and Vulnerable - Academic Freedom in Practice

Research report, recommendations and consideration in response to a whistleblower report to the University of Amsterdam

A university should be a place where innovative and controversial questions are asked, studied, answered and taught. In Amsterdam since 1632. To be such a place, freedom of thought, speech, debate and publication is crucial. The university thrives on debate; academic freedom – powerful and vulnerable at the same time – is her oxygen.

In addition to the executive, legislative and judicial powers, and together with the free press, universities should also be a reliable pillar underpinning a democratic society and a well-functioning constitutional state.

And as a community, the university should be an example to society and the world. An example of how people treat each other when they disagree. Another example of how differences of opinion can be made productive.

Within the university, the ideal of diversity & inclusion is as powerful and vulnerable as the ideal of academic freedom. In the course of its work, the committee has become convinced that academic freedom and diversity & inclusion are not opposed to each other, but that they desperately need each other. In addition to all dimensions of diversity such as gender, skin colour, age, sexual orientation, and experiences and perceptions, diversity of political views and scientific perspectives is also an essential part of inclusive diversity at the university.

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