Academic freedom is under growing threat worldwide, with serious implications for democracy and human rights. According to recent reports such as Free to Think, the Academic Freedom Index 2025, and the V-Dem Democracy Report 2025, academic communities are increasingly targeted in contexts of authoritarian resurgence, shrinking civic space, and conflict.

Sweden is actively contributing to the protection of academic freedom through the national SAR-Sweden network, part of Scholars at Risk. SAR-Sweden includes over 30 members, mostly universities and higher education institutions that host and support researchers at risk and advocate for academic freedom.

This mini-seminar will explore how threats to scholars and universities globally affect democratic resilience. Drawing on cases from Southeast Asia, we will discuss how authoritarian regimes restrict academic inquiry and how global solidarity—such as hosting scholars in exile—strengthens both academic freedom and democracy.