News
Nordic Summer University supports academic freedom
In light of recent threats to academic freedom in the USA and Europe, the Nordic Summer University strongly reiterates its commitment to academic freedom in all its forms. We firmly reject political and corporate interference in research and teaching.
Academic freedom includes the right to freely choose research topics and content, to apply appropriate methods without restriction, to access necessary information, and to share findings openly with the public. It also encompasses the freedom to determine the content of teaching and the public’s right to high-quality knowledge.
In the USA, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have recently faced severe funding cuts. Additionally, the government has introduced a list of banned words for federally-funded research projects, in what must be described as an attempt to exert direct control over academic inquiry. Given the central position of the United States in science and research, this development is particularly worrying. But it is not an isolated case. For instance, in Hungary, the government has cut funding to public universities, while putting newly privatized universities under the control of foundations run by government affiliated representatives. A more indirect form of influence can be seen in cases where research funding is directed towards projects that prioritize collaboration with businesses, often with the goal of producing marketable outcomes. In Denmark, the government has dictated which university courses should be offered, primarily cutting funding for humanities programs — another example of increasing political control over research and education. The status of Swedish universities as state administrative authorities is another example of how academic freedom can be called into question. The Swedish government has for instance stopped an ongoing call, administered by the Research Council, in the field of development research at the very end of the review process. Also, politicians in the Netherlands are accused of interfering with academic freedom. These are just examples, but the path is clear. Academic freedom is under increasing threat world-wide.
Since 1950, the Nordic Summer University has worked to safeguard academic freedom in the Nordic countries through self-organized, international, and multidisciplinary exchanges. We defend researchers’ right to resist political or ideological pressures unrelated to their work, as well as their right to determine the content and structure of their scientific and scholarly inquiries. The Nordic Summer University upholds the principles of institutional autonomy and individual academic freedom, grounded in scientific peer collaboration. Now is not the time for complacency!
- Newsletter 2025/1Nordic Summer University Nordic Networks for Interdisciplinary Study and Research Summer Session 2025 The Nordic Summer University is ready for the summer session 2025 which will take place between July 21 and July 28 in Korpilahti (near Jyväskylä), Finland. Join us for a fabulous week of explorations, discussions, creative and cultural events and community! The Call for Proposals are below for each study circle: Circle 1 Storytelling for Sustainable Heritage Practices and Active Citizenship Circle 2 Creativity under surveillance: art, critique and technology…
- Nordic Summer University is looking for a Mentor and Youth Leaders for the Summer Session 2025 in Finland
- Call for Project Proposals 2026-2028 (deadlines: April 5th and July 23th 2025)Nordic Summer University Research, Networking, Folk/bildning Deadlines: April 5th 2025 for review round 1July 23th 2025 in the morning of the community review during the Summer Session The Nordic Summer University (NSU) calls for project proposals for three-year study circles (2026-2028). We seek proposals for new scholarly networks addressing critical issues in culture, science and society. Founded in 1950, NSU is an independent, non-profit scholarly institution that provides platforms for networks and collaborations across disciplines in the Nordic and Baltic…
- Save the date for the Summer Session!The week-long Summer Session is the yearly culmination of NSU’s activities where all circles hold their symposia at a shared location. The session takes place at a location in the Nordic or Baltic countryside, usually at the end of July. Study circles work during the day and in the evening, numerous social and cultural events take place. One of the key values of NSU is that families with children can participate at the summer sessions. NSU therefore provide what we call a Children’s…
- Open Calls for Participation 2025 are already online!In 2025, the Nordic Summer University has 10 study circles covering various topics from climate change and critical theory to technology and cultural heritage. We are sure you will find a topic that is relevant for your field of interests! Check out open calls on the pages of the study circles: Nordic Summer University offers ECTS creadits to participants, do not miss this opportunity. Additionally, once becoming a member of NSU during the winter session, you receive a voting opportunity…
- Establishment of an economic fundraising foundation!The establishment of the economic fundraising foundation was supported by the General Assembly 2024 in Denmark! There, the public declaration of the foundation took place. The text of the declaration is below. Self-organised and free academic activities are one of the founding pillars in a democratic society, but such activities are put under increasing threat in the present. Collegial self-government is furthermore determining for scientific innovation. To support activities that protect and support scientific development we, the founders – Nordic…
- Newspaper #7 Summer Session 2024
- Newspaper #6 Summer Session 2024
- Newspaper #5 Summer Session 2024
- Newspaper #4 Summer Session 2024
- Newspaper #3 Summer Session 2024