We are excited to announce a call for abstracts for a proposed special issue of the International Journal of Educational Research entitled“Understanding Academic Freedom – Cross-Disciplinary and Cross-Regional Perspectives”.

In recent years, academic freedom has gained significant global attention as both autocratic regimes and rising populist movements in democratic nations have posed serious threats to it. Despite efforts from various organizations and policymakers to safeguard academic freedom, the situation has worsened globally. Although much scholarly work has been done on this topic, there remains a substantial gap in cross-regional dialogue, understanding the sources of these threats, and exploring empirical trends on a global scale. 

This special issue seeks to foster a comparative and comprehensive understanding of academic freedom, with contributions from multiple disciplines and regions. We invite scholars to submit abstracts that address these concerns through diverse disciplinary lenses or offer cross-country or regional analyses. 

Submission guidelines: 

• Abstract length: Max. 750 words.
• Details to include: Core argument, research design (if applicable), and potential impact/contributions of the study. 
• Submission deadline: 30 November 2024.
• Additional information: Please include the title of the paper, author name(s), affiliation(s), and a short bio (100 words per author).

Submissions should be emailed to the special issue editors:

•      Zoltán Rónay: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
•      Marcelo Marques: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
•      Gergely Kováts: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
•      Daniela Craciun: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

We are eager to receive a wide range of contributions, particularly those that bring innovative perspectives to the understanding of academic freedom in different contexts. Please consider sharing this call with colleagues in your networks who may be interested.

A comprehensive timeline for manuscript submission and publication will be shared in February 2025. Selected abstracts will be key to shaping the direction of this special issue. 

We look forward to your contributions!