In January 2023, the Swedish government tasked the Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ) with gaining a deeper understanding of how universities and higher education institutions promote and protect academic freedom in line with the provisions of the Higher Education Act. The report was published in May 2024 and is now available in English.

Academic freedom in Sweden is governed by the Higher Education Act. Since July 1, 2021, a key principle of this regulation has been the promotion and protection of academic freedom. The preparatory work for this provision clarifies that it encompasses individual academic freedom within the activities of higher education institutions, including both research and education. Higher education institutions are required to actively implement the Higher Education Act in practice. Academic leaders are responsible for prioritizing academic freedom and fostering a culture that supports the free pursuit and dissemination of knowledge.

The report, Academic freedom in Sweden, includes four case studies, a survey distributed to teachers, researchers, and doctoral students, and a referral sent to institutions with questions regarding their efforts to promote and protect academic freedom.

UKÄ hopes this report will serve as a foundation for constructive and objective discussions on this critical issue for universities, higher education institutions, and society as a whole.

This is an English translation of the original Swedish report. The translated version of the report is slightly shorter than the original.

Read the report Academic freedom in Sweden. (including the questionnaire) Pdf, 2 MB.