Academy: academic freedom in the Netherlands under pressure

The Academy was prompted by a number of reports showing that academic freedom in the Netherlands is under pressure. A recent European Parliament monitoring report on academic freedom shows, for example, that the Netherlands scores below the European average.

In addition, the Academy is extremely concerned about the anti-science measures taken by the Trump administration: requirements imposed on language use and the content of research; the freezing of funding for research disliked by the government; and restrictions on the national and international exchange of research add up to a serious threat to the freedom of scientific work. This has an impact on science worldwide and also on science in the Netherlands.  

Unfettered research

Good science requires freedom: research produces the best knowledge – independent and trustworthy – when it is free from outside interference. A major reason for the low score of the Netherlands on the lists is that the scope for “unfettered” research, motivated by a scientist’s curiosity, is becoming increasingly restricted. Providers of funding, such as the government and industry, often impose requirements on the research topics or the intended goal.

Politicians are also increasingly interfering in freedoms that actually belong to the world of science. The Academy believes that legislation related to the language test and the proposed Internationalisation in Balance Act [Wet Internationalisering in Balans] (WIB) represent a restriction of academic freedom. Ensuring that the number of international students in the Netherlands remains manageable and that Dutch continues to be protected as an academic language are reasonable demands for which a variety of solutions are available. But giving the government the power to decide on the language in which instruction is provided directly infringes on academic freedom. Moreover, it has negative consequences for the quality of our education and our international position.

And the Dutch Knowledge Security Screening Bill, in the form that it currently appears to be taking, will in particular limit the academic freedom and innovative power of the Netherlands, with all the associated consequences for our society.

Intimidation

As a result of the polarisation and coarsening of the social debate, researchers are facing intimidation and threats. A significant proportion of Dutch researchers are therefore steering clear of that debate to a greater or lesser extent, according to a report by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. This means that the debate is losing a key voice. The Academy is calling on the government and political parties to contribute towards a science-friendly climate and to publicly condemn the intimidation of researchers.

Enshrining in law

In contrast to other countries, academic freedom is not mentioned in the Dutch Constitution. It is only protected through provisions in national and international law. The Academy would like to start a discussion on whether academic freedom can be better protected in law.