Academic Freedom from the Perspectives of Academics and Students: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Academic freedom, which is the pre-condition of a stress-free academic life, has become a culture in democratic societies. The principles of equality, individuality and independence considerably shape our understanding and expectations of academic freedom. In addition to beinggenerally theoretical, studies on academic freedom focus on the restrictions on academic freedom experienced in the past. Thus, there is a need for a study that presentsproblems concerning academic freedom in detail and examines the views of students as well. The aim of this study is to reveal the views on academic freedom of academics and students studying at higher education institutions. In this study, 11 academics have been interviewed personally and the views of 298 studentson academic freedom in higher education institutions have been sought.

The views of the academics and students on academic freedom were grouped into six different categories: (1) freedom in education, (2) freedom in research, (3) freedom of speech, (4) institutional freedom, (5) the importance of academic freedom, and (6) the protection of academic freedom. As the result of the findings of the study, it can be said that academics and students are afraid of the negative reactions from the majority about their religious or political ideas. Students cannot express their ideas during classdue to the fear of being misunderstood or receiving a negative reaction. The same situation is observed within the relationshipsthat academics have with the administration. Academics have expressed that they have serious problems concerning academic freedom, and students have expressed that they do not feel free enough in university settings.