TABLE 3
FROM:
Academic Freedom in Europe: A Preliminary Comparative Analysis
Terence Karran
BACK TO ARTICLETable 3. Specific legislation on academic freedom — examples
| State/level of protection | Specific legislation on academic freedom |
|---|---|
| Czech Republic High | Act on Higher Education Institutions No. 121/2004: Article 4 The following academic liberties and rights are guaranteed at higher education institutions: (a) Freedom of science, research, and artistic activities as well as making the results public; (b) Freedom of instruction, namely its openness to variety of scholastic theories, scientific and research methods and artistic trends; (c) The right of learning that includes free choice of study specialization within the framework of study programmes as well as freedom of expressing one's opinion during lecturing; (d) The right of academic community members to elect their representative academic bodies; |
| Poland Medium | Higher Education Law 2005: Article 4: 1. Institutions of higher education shall be autonomous in all areas of their operation, subject to provisions herein. 2. In their operations, institutions of higher education shall be guided by principles of freedom of teaching, freedom of scientific research and freedom of artistic creation. |
| UK Low | Education Reform Act 1988 Part II — Higher and Further Education Section 202 (1) There shall be a body of Commissioners known as the University Commissioners who shall exercise, in accordance with subsection (2) below, in relation to qualifying institutions, the functions assigned to them by those sections. (2) In exercising those functions, the Commissioners shall have regard to the need (a) to ensure that academic staff have freedom within the law to question and test received wisdom, and to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions, without placing themselves in jeopardy of losing their jobs or privileges they may have at their institutions; (b) to enable qualifying institutions to provide education, promote learning, and engage in research efficiently and economically; and (c) to apply the principles of justice and fairness. |