The freedom of scientific research is increasingly under attack, both in Europe and beyond. Its vulnerability freedom calls for stronger protections, not only to safeguard scientific excellence, but also to strengthen our democracies. Simultaneously, geopolitical transformations and increasing power rivalry for competitiveness has heightened political sensitivities around research security, raising questions about what limits should exist to international collaboration – and how these should be ensured.
The forthcoming ERA Act represents a prism through which the dynamics of the relationship between the freedom of scientific research and research security can be explored. This legal text, which might include provisions on the freedom of scientific research and research security, can offer key insights into how both these priorities may interact with each other in practical terms. To what extent will the application of boundaries to scientific international collaboration strengthen or undermine freedom of scientific research? And what responsibilities are inherent on research communities in the application of the freedom of scientific research that relate to ‘secure’ international partnerships?
To approach these timely questions, The Guild organises its second Academic Freedom Lecture, in collaboration with the University of Tartu. We are delighted to welcome Prof. Liviu Matei (King’s College London) who will explore the potential of the ERA Act to navigate the inherent tensions between maximising the freedom of scientific research while pursuing research security, setting the tone for a wider discussion with a distinguished panel and a wider audience.
The importance of 20 May
20 May is the International Academic Freedom Day and on 20 May 1921, Marie Skłodowska-Curie received a gram of radium from the then President of the United States Warren Harding at the White House. This gift, which allowed her to make ground-breaking discoveries back in Europe, was made possible with donations collected by the American journalist Marie Mattingly Meloney. Therefore, 20 May is also a date to celebrate international research collaboration.
