Academic Freedom Under Pressure
What Academic Publishers Can Do
Academic freedom is more than an abstract principle. It is the foundation of scholarly innovation and exchange and thereby constitutes a prerequisite for following academic publishing and scholarly peer review. Without academic freedom, scholars self-censor, innovation stalls, and universities cease to be spaces of critical inquiry and knowledge production. When scholars cannot pursue research puzzles and questions freely, knowledge production becomes constrained.
Recent global trends are alarming. The Academic Freedom Index (AFI) shows a steady global average decline over the past decade. In fact, in 2023, a higher percentage of the world population lived under severely restricted or restricted academic space, similar to the levels recorded in 1973.
Academic Freedom Is a Central Pillar for Scholarly Innovation and Exchange
According to the yearly Scholars at Risk Free to Think Report in 2024, there were 395 reported attacks on higher education communities across 49 countries. These attacks range from political interference in curricula to harassment of scholars and even the closure of entire institutions. In fact, academic freedom is often among the first casualties when democratic norms erode. However, this is not a problem confined to authoritarian regimes or countries experiencing severe democratic rollback. It is happening in seemingly consolidated democracies, too.
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists and Scholars at Risk, political interventions in university governance and teaching have intensified to unseen levels in the United States under the second Trump administration. State-level efforts to restrict what can be taught — particularly in areas such as race, gender, history, and climate — signal a troubling trend. When universities become battlegrounds for ideological control, the autonomy that underpins scholarly integrity and innovation is at risk.
In Turkey, sweeping purges of academics following the 2016 coup attempt decimated university autonomy. In a response to a public letter, thousands of Turkish scholars were dismissed. In Hungary, government control over research funding and the forced relocation of the Central European University illustrate how political power can reshape academic landscapes by delegitimizing entire disciplines and institutions. These examples underscore that academic freedom is fragile and its erosion is accelerating — which, like the US, occurred in previously stable, liberal settings without regular conflicts or crises.
Why Academic Freedom Matters for Publishing
Why should publishers care? Because publishing is the lifeblood of scholarly exchange and debate. If academic freedom collapses, so does the integrity of research. Authors and reviewers who fear repercussions may self-censor. Editors under political pressure may shy away from controversial topics. The result? A narrowing of perspectives and a distortion of knowledge production hamper scholarly outputs’ innovation and creativity.
Therefore, publishers cannot be neutral. They have set norms, provide open access, and establish processes safeguarding academic freedom and research integrity. In an era of increasing attacks on scholars and students, academic institutions, and knowledge production, publishers are not bystanders — they are stakeholders. Their policies and practices can either reinforce vulnerability or foster resilience. This is a tremendous responsibility.
Challenges Publishers Face
The academic publishing industry operates in a complex environment where commercial pressures intersect with political realities. Three challenges stand out:
Barriers to Access and Publishing
High article processing charges (APCs) exclude scholars in low-income countries and conflict zones from contributing to global knowledge production. This inequity undermines diversity and perpetuates structural imbalances. Open access strategies and fee waivers for low- and middle-income countries are policies most academic publishers are already actively pursuing. This path should be complemented by a better representation of scholars from the Global South in editorial boards and as authors and reviewers.
Safety Risks for Authors
In repressive political regimes or conflict contexts, publishing certain research can endanger scholars. Without secure submission processes and anonymized authorship options, scholars, reviewers, and editors may face harassment or persecution. Academic publishers should invest in the safety of their digital submission and review infrastructure and develop transparent industry-wide standards regarding anonymized authorship for scholars at risk.
Self-Censorship and Editorial Pressure
Political interference and defunding can lead to censorship amongst scholars, both overt and covert. Editors may avoid controversial topics to protect their journals or institutions. Authors may dilute findings or mince their words to minimize risks associated with publishing their research. These dynamics threaten the integrity of scholarship.
Against this backdrop, publishers must act to establish ombudspersons for academic freedom, push back against governmental attempts at censoring, and provide training for editorial teams and reviewers to counter self-censorship.
Seven Actions Academic Publishers Can Take
- Establish Clear Guidelines and Ombudspersons.
Publishers need transparent, industry-wide standards to protect editorial independence and academic freedom. These guidelines should outline how to respond to political interference, censorship attempts, or pressure from external actors. Appointing ombudspersons within publishing organizations can provide scholars and editors with a trusted channel for raising concerns. This is not just about compliance — it is about signaling a commitment to integrity. - Support Scholars at Risk.
Academic freedom is under siege in many parts of the world. Publishers can play a vital role by supporting scholars at risk. This includes providing free or subsidized access to journals and databases and dedicated publishing opportunities for displaced academics, and partnering with initiatives like Scholars At Risk. Such measures help ensure that vulnerable and repressed voices are not silenced. - Ensure Safe Submission Processes.
For scholars working on contentious topics — such as gender studies, Middle Eastern politics, or climate research — anonymity can be a matter of safety. Publishers should develop secure submission pathways and anonymization options to protect identities without compromising scientific integrity. Balancing transparency with security is challenging, but it is essential for scholars living and working in or on repressive contexts. - Push Back Against Politicization of Research.
When governments attempt to dictate research agendas or defund entire disciplines, publishers must speak out. Public statements defending academic freedom and editorial independence send a powerful message. Publishers should also resist pressures to exclude or cut down on scholarly fields that are particularly under attack — such as gender studies, queer studies, postcolonial studies, and disability studies. - Promote Equity Through Open Access
Open access is not just a business model — it is an equity imperative. Publishers should explore inclusive models that reduce APCs or offer waivers for scholars in low-income or conflict-affected regions. Knowledge should not be a privilege reserved for the well-funded. By promoting equitable access, publishers help democratize scholarship and strengthen global academic freedom. - Create Spaces for Learning and Exchange.
Academic freedom is often discussed in abstract terms. Publishers can make it tangible by creating spaces for dialogue — webinars, workshops, and editorial board discussions focused on academic freedom. Training editors and reviewers to recognize and resist censorship pressures is crucial. Awareness is the first step toward resilience. - Use Data to Inform Policy
Data-driven decision-making is standard in publishing — why not apply it to academic freedom? Tools like the AFI provide granular insights into country-level restrictions on academic freedom. Publishers can use this data to inform editorial policies, assess submission risks, and guide decisions on fee waivers or open access strategies.
The Time to Act is Now
Academic freedom is also a driver of innovation. When scholars can follow their curiosity without fear, they produce groundbreaking work. Restrict that freedom, and you stifle creativity. For publishers committed to advancing knowledge, defending academic freedom is not optional — it is mission-critical. For publishers, defending this principle is not just an ethical obligation; it is a strategic necessity. Without academic freedom, research loses its integrity, innovation falters, and the publishing ecosystem itself becomes compromised.
The question is not whether publishers should act, but how quickly and decisively they will. Establish guidelines. Support scholars and students at risk. Promote equity in academic publishing. Use data to provide access. Create spaces for dialogue and exchange.
Academic freedom is under immense pressure. However, the debate about how academic publishers can react to growing attacks on academic freedom has just started. Discussions at Frankfurt Bookfair 2025 and Academic Publishing Europe’s conference in Berlin in January 2026 were a good start. The publishing industry has some tools to push back. Their time to act is now.
This commentary was originally published on Scholarly Kitchen on March 17, 2026.
