This statement was written by a network of gender researchers in the wake of the current attacks on academic freedom and gender studies and was first published by the Gender Studies Association. Translated by AStA Uni Göttingen.
Freedom of science is protected from political interference by Article 5, paragraph 3 of the German Basic Law (GG) and is guaranteed as a human right worldwide. It is an indispensable component of democratic states and their political order. Against the backdrop of German history, this freedom must be honoured, defended and constantly realized anew as the inviolable foundation of our democracy. Any interference in academic structures and the freedom of research not only damages academic institutions and their international reputation; it also causes considerable damage to democracy as a whole. The freedom of science is inextricably linked to the freedom of society, because without it there is neither innovation nor progress – both of which are based on research.
On January 18, 2025, Alice Weidel announced at the AfD party conference that a government under her leadership would close all gender studies institutions. “We will throw out all these professors,” said Weidel. In doing so, she substantiated her programmatic rejection of an entire discipline and threatened to intervene massively in the freedom of research and teaching. These statements are not only unconstitutional, but also deeply anti-democratic. An attack on gender studies sets a precedent that can be extended to other academic disciplines and fields of work at will. The independence of science applies without restriction to all areas of research. It ensures that scientific progress is possible and thus forms the basis for the future viability of democracy and pluralism. Constructive, objective criticism and open discussion of research and teaching among the general public are just as important components of this progress as science communication. We unequivocally reject any attempts to discredit or threaten individual researchers, research groups or disciplines. Hostility towards science and intellectuals are central characteristics of authoritarian politics, that undermine society’s trust in science.
We condemn any threats against researchers, whether in the field of gender studies or in other disciplines. We reaffirm our belief that the autonomy of science and academia is crucial to the democratic system. Attacks on academic freedom are attacks on democracy itself.
Link to the first publication on the FG Gender website.