Europe’s academic freedom eroding amid political and societal pressure, Council of Europe report warns

Academic freedom in Europe is shrinking, according to a report from the Council of Europe, which stated that "protecting academic freedom is a shared responsibility, essential to preserving democratic resilience".

The report, titled "The erosion of academic freedom in Europe" and published on 25/11/2025, analyses the various threats to academic freedom across the continent, organised around several key factors, with political interference being the main threat, alongside pressures from internal restrictions, societal hostility, private sector influence and security-related limitations.

The report was drafted by the Council of Europe’s Expert Working Group on the Democratic Mission of Higher Education, and serves as a warning that the fundamental conditions necessary for higher education institutions (HEIs) to fulfil their public and democratic missions are under serious threat across the continent.

"When academics are silenced, societies lose critical voices that safeguard truth, accountability, and human rights," added the Council of Europe.

The report was made public at a conference…