DW and Spiegel document the working conditions at research institutes
Behind the glamour of prestigious research institutes often lies a grim reality characterized by uncertainty, pressure and challenges. A documentary of DW and Spiegel showed in the beginning of April that for many young scientists, this dream becomes a difficult path that often costs far more than it promises. For us doctoral candidates, dependence on our supervisors is one of the biggest difficulties. We have written a longer blog entry about this topic and linked the youtube video of the documentation.
Interview with Science|Business
The online platform Science|Business did a series of short interviews about the current reports of Der Spiegel and DW. The platform is generally concerned with the connection of industry, research, and policies that drive innovation. We highly recommend that you read the full article written by Leonie Klingberg on the website of science|business. If you want to work on solutions to these structural problems in our academic system, reach out to us. If you are interested in our opinion on the discussion we also recommend to read our blog entry about the interview.
Early career scientist in the USA
International doctoral students and early career scientist are facing scrutiny and targeted actions by the Trump administration. We have published a statement on the current situation in the USA. We are of the opinion that the targeting of individual scholars, such as at Tufts University, Columbia University, and many others, demonstrates the structural nature of this repression. All institutions of higher education in the US should resist such coercion and uphold the fundamental values of academic integrity and stand protectively in front of their students and researchers. In our opinion, German politicians and international organisations should take a stand for free and open research in all countries, but especially within the United States right now. To all individuals currently under threat, we extend our full solidarity and heartfelt support.
Academic Freedom Intex (FMI) updated for 2025
The FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg has updated their index of the worldwide academic freedom. This years report highlights global challenges to academic freedom. While some countries have improved, others are experiencing alarming declines, particularly where political polarization is increasing. In Germany, academic freedom remains strong, but the report notes subtle declines. Anti-pluralistic political movements are seen as a potential threat to research independence and institutional autonomy. If these trends continue, they could impact funding structures, hiring practices, and the openness of academic discourse.
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