Knowledge under pressure: Academic freedom in times of geopolitical tension

What is it about?

How do today’s shifting power dynamics and rising geopolitical tensions affect universities, research, and the free flow of knowledge? This article explores that question through the experiences of 43 researchers and leaders across disciplines in Norway — a country deeply integrated in international higher education and research. The study shows that researchers in different fields face very different challenges: • STEM fields struggle with complex export control laws, restrictions on sharing knowledge and technology, and recruitment dilemmas when top candidates come from countries outside Norway’s security policy partnerships. If not handled appropriately, bureaucratic hurdles can slow innovation and create uncertainty in international collaboration. • Humanities and social sciences face risks of surveillance, threats, and self-censorship when working with or in authoritarian states. Researchers often adapt their topics, methods, and even language to protect colleagues, informants, and themselves — raising difficult ethical questions about integrity and academic freedom. Across all disciplines, one dilemma stands out: how to strike the right balance between being “as open as possible and as closed as necessary”. Excessive restrictions may undermine research quality, innovation, and our ability to address global challenges like climate change. Too much openness, on the other hand, may compromise national security and personal safety. The article highlights that solutions cannot be “one-size-fits-all.” Instead, they require tailored support systems, cross-disciplinary cooperation, and collaboration across borders to safeguard both security and academic freedom. By bringing forward first-hand experiences from researchers, the study contributes to an urgent global debate: how can academia remain a space for free inquiry and international cooperation in an era where knowledge itself has become a geopolitical battleground?

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Why is it important?

Understanding these dynamics is crucial not only for academics and policymakers, but for anyone invested in the role of knowledge in society. Universities are at the forefront of tackling global challenges—from climate change to health crises—that no single country can solve alone. If international collaboration falters, the quality and speed of research may suffer, with consequences that ripple far beyond the walls of academia. At the same time, unchecked openness can expose individuals and institutions to serious risks. By reading this article, audiences gain insight into how these global tensions play out in the everyday work of researchers, and why finding a fair and workable balance between openness and security is essential for the future of knowledge, democracy, and innovation.