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ABSTRACTUsing comparative data from 28 states within the European Union, this paper is a comprehensive assessment of the protection for, and (by extension) the health of, academic freedom in the universities of the nations of the European Union. The paper, extending previous work in this area, adopts a ‘bottom-up’ approach utilising 37 specific parameters that relate to international treaties, and national, constitutional, and legislative protection for academic freedom, along with legal regulations concerning institutional governance, the appointment of the rector, and the existence of academic tenure, in order to create a composite picture of the health of academic freedom in the universities within the European Union nations.

AbstractThis article expounds the Composite Theory to define the parameters for the exercise of academic freedom in Africa, informed by its political, historical and cultural circumstances and expressed in the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Academic Freedom and Social Responsibility of Academics and the Kampala Declaration on Intellectual Freedom and Social Responsibility. This approach follows in the line of the Special Theory and General Theory postulated to justify the exercise and application of academic freedom in Germany and the United States of America, respectively. The Composite Theory contends that academic freedom in the African context should not only be seen in the narrow prism of protecting the rights of academics on and off the university campus. It includes a commitment to recognise and contribute to promoting the rights of other key actors in the academic freedom equation, to wit, students and the society as a fulfillment of the academic’s social responsibility. This role can be fulfilled both within and outside the university campus. Internally, academics shall respect students’ right to academic freedom and immerse knowledge-sharing in a democratic ethos. This approach will likely instil in the students respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law, which they will carry away with them from the university into life within the society. Extramurally, equipped with their knowledge, skills and experience, African academics should take advantage of their privileged positions in society to leave their ivory towers and, where necessary, solidarise with other civil society actors to promote social transformation and human emancipation. This is the guaranteed way to protect academic freedom on the campuses.

In this article, the author discusses factors that affect the rankings of universities around the world in the global university rankings list. He cites a study which showed that attributes like academic freedom could be the reason why universities like Harvard University, Oxford University and Cambridge University continue to dominate the rankings. The opinion of legal counsel David Rabban on the issue is also cited.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "Total disclosure a sign of the academy's time-and-motion sickness" by Thomas Docherty in the July 30, 2009 issue, "What is freedom? Choosing your v-c" in the July 30, 2009 issue and "What sets you apart?" by Robert Mighall and Jonathan Baldwin in the July 23, 2009 issue.