Debate, a fundamental part of academia.

Perceptions of academic freedom may differ. But the right to assert one’s opinion is cherished within universities.

An endless discussion is going on at Högskoleläckan.

The debate pages of the major dailies have been filled with indignant voices claiming that the university world has become too politically correct, that there is no longer any academic freedom.

The posts are met by equally discontented opponents who believe that the debaters are mistaken and that the threat comes from elsewhere. – In the academic debate, one must be able to accept radically different views. You have no right not to be contradicted, states Christian Munthe, Professor of Practical Philosophy and himself a diligent debater.

Personally, he is happy to enter into discussions in the Facebook group Högskoleläckan, where he also acts as a moderator. At present, the group has 18,600 members, the majority of whom have a connection to the university. But the group is also frequented by politicians, journalists, students and other interested parties. – When I started Högskoleläckan ten years ago, it was because I wanted a forum where we could discuss academic issues. It is obvious that other people needed the same thing, says Ulf Dalnäs, Vice Dean for Collaboration at the Faculty of Fine, Applied and Performing Arts.

In recent times, academic freedom has been a recurring issue in the extensive Facebook threads. And as long as everyone maintains a decent level of discussion, all opinions are welcome. Ulf Dalnäs also frequently runs live broadcasts in “Läckan” where he talks to politicians and others, who he thinks have something to contribute to the topic under discussion.

– I am deeply impressed by committed researchers who do not hesitate to delve into controversial issues even though they are aware of what the reaction will be. It has definitely become a tougher climate in which to debate, he says.

Nevertheless, both Ulf Dalnäs and Christian Munthe emphasize the importance of a lively discussion. Ongoing discussion is one of the foundations of academia. There is also nothing new under the sun. For as long as there have been universities – there has been debate about what they teach.

– Throughout history, there have been discussions about whether the teaching is too religious or secular, whether they are too left-wing or too right-wing. Academia is free, but also controlled. We choose to go in a certain direction and those who deviate from the accepted path may not be accommodated to the same extent, says Christian Munthe.

The basis of the universities’ raison d’être is that there is a kind of consensus, a solid system that everyone agrees on. Therefore, it is also inevitable that some individuals are dissatisfied with certain directions, says Christian Munthe. – The result of collegial discussions is that as an individual, you may feel that the scope within which you

…  it was because I wanted a forum where we could discuss academic issues.

ULF DALNÄS

can articulate your ideas is limited. But that is to ensure that not everyone’s freedom will be curtailed, he says.

Academic freedom must, among other things, guarantee the higher education institutions’ autonomy and the researchers’ ability to choose their subject areas. But that does not mean that you can do whatever you want. For example, you must not harm anyone who is participating in the research or act in an unlawful manner. Nor can a single lecturer decide what the content of a course should be. Virtually all decisions made within the confines of the university are made in consultation with managers and other colleagues, says Christian Munthe. – Just because you have certain rights, does not mean that others are obliged to accommodate you. This is where the role of the state comes in, he says.

For example, the state has no obligation to distribute funds to anyone who asks for them. That politicians demand research on the threat to the climate, democracy or antibiotic resistance, is quite natural, Christian Munthe thinks. Developments in these areas are important and the issues affect a lot of people.

– Political governance is not a violation. Researchers can still choose whether they want to accept the money. But if they do, the financing entails certain obligations, he says.

The idea of researchers who are completely independent of the state is not realistic in Sweden. Then we would soon have no universities at all, according to Christian Munthe. – The state has always had power over us, and you can always discuss the politics. But the commitment of the state is a prerequisite for the survival of universities.

However, this reasoning does not mean that one should be passive. Right now he is participating with tremendous commitment in the discussion that followed Mid Sweden University’s decision to cancel a lecture with Kajsa Ekis Ekman about her book Om könets existens (On the existence of gender).

“Relativism, different frameworks for interpreting text, as well as different ideas about people’s dignity and rights, etc., are all established theories and research areas within academia,” he writes in a post on Högskoleläckan. – Actually, I think the How question is more interesting than the What question. We should talk more about how we express ourselves in public discourse. We are supposed to be professionals at discussing and arguing for our cause. It’s fine to feel a little offended from time to time, it has nothing to do with having your academic freedom restricted, he says.

Christian Munthe

Facts

The Facebook group Högskoleläckan – gruppen för högskoleskvaller (the group for university gossip) was started in 2011 by Ulf Dalnäs, Vice dean for Collaboration at the Faculty of Fine, Applied and Performing Arts. The account is administered by Ulf Dalnäs, Johan Lundin and Daniel Ro. The group currently has 18,600 members. The account describes Högskoleläckan as follows: “Here we share serious and silly content related to the higher education sector.” Find out more about Högskoleläckan in the GU Journal no.: 1-2021. https://issuu.com/universityofgothenburg/docs/ guj1-2021/18.