GoKawiilScholars at Risk reports 382 state attacks on academic freedom in 2025-26
The Scholars at Risk network's Free to Think 2026 report documents 382 attacks on scholars, students and institutions by state authorities across 59 countries and territories between July 2025 and June 2026, down from 395 incidents but spread across more regions than the prior year's 49. Attacks include violent assaults, wrongful prosecution, dismissals, expulsions and travel or research restrictions, with the report also noting a notable improvement in academic freedom in Bangladesh and continued interference in the United States.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
SAR's Robert Quinn frames these attacks as efforts to control the flow of information, suggesting governments increasingly see universities as political battlegrounds rather than neutral institutions. Economist Mushfiq Mobarak argues that university-government tensions reflect broader global political conflicts, which could mean academic freedom serves as an early indicator of wider democratic backsliding or ideological contestation in a country.
- 382 attacks on academic freedom recorded across 59 countries/territories in 2025-26, versus 395 in 49 the prior year
- Attacks span violence, wrongful prosecution, dismissals, expulsions and travel/research restrictions
- Bangladesh showed marked improvement while the US saw increasing interference, per the Academic Freedom Index Update 2026
Source: nature.com — Naddaf, 2026-11-09
Published there as: “How academic freedom is changing around the world — by the numbers”
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