What happens when universities shift from being spaces of critical thinking and public knowledge to institutions shaped by market logic? In this episode, we explore the transformation of higher education under neoliberalism—how academia has moved away from its traditional role and into a system driven by efficiency metrics, privatization, and corporate partnerships.

Andrea Pető, Dina Gusejnova, Elena Trifan, and Tania Arcimovich discuss the tension between liberal, neoliberal, and illiberal universities, the precarious conditions of academic labor, and how these forces impact both students and faculty. They also examine the inequalities within academic mobility and the broader implications for knowledge production in a time of polycrisis.

Join us as we critically assess the current state of academia and discuss alternatives for a more inclusive and egalitarian university system.

In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked struggles of at-risk scholars, focusing on the absence of Belarus in discussions on academic freedom, the gendered dimensions of displacement, and the systemic exclusions within global academia. Tania Artemovich discusses how Belarusian scholars have been marginalized in protection programs, despite facing decades of repression, while also addressing the challenges female migrant scholars face in securing recognition and support. Dina Gusejnova, Andrea Pető, Bernard Kleeberg, and Elena Trifan further examine the structural barriers, knowledge production gaps, and the geopolitical hierarchies that shape academic mobility.

This episode challenges us to rethink the narratives of academic displacement and calls for a more inclusive, equitable approach to knowledge production and integration.

In this episode of Protecting Academia at Risk, we explore the urgent challenges facing universities today, from the rise of right-wing movements in Europe to the ongoing struggles of displaced and at-risk scholars. Together with Andrea Pető, Dina Gusejnova, Bernhard Kleeberg, Tania Arcimovich, Nadiya Kiss, and Elena Trifan, we discuss how universities can reclaim their role as spaces of free thought and critical inquiry.

We reflect on the structural barriers that prevent meaningful academic integration, the failures of transnational organizations in protecting scholars at risk, and the broader implications of the neoliberalization of higher education. From the crisis of academic mobility post-Brexit to the contradictions within the EU’s approach to academic freedom, this conversation unpacks the layered complexities shaping the future of knowledge production.

In this episode of Protecting Academia at Risk, we explore the evolving landscape of risk in academia. Instead of framing risk only as a threat to individual academics facing persecution, this conversation expands the lens to examine systemic risks to academic institutions, knowledge production, and academic freedom. How do shifting political landscapes, neoliberal policies, and illiberal interventions shape the academic space? How can we rethink academic freedom beyond free speech debates? And what does it mean to foster a thriving academic community in these turbulent times?

In this episode, Elena Trifan, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Erfurt, delves into her research on at-risk academics within the Romanian higher education system. With a background in anthropology and sociology, Elena offers a unique lens shaped by her academic journey and personal connection as a first-generation scholar.

Her research explores Romania’s position as a peripheral EU country, traditionally known for exporting skilled labor, and examines its evolving higher education landscape. From navigating neoliberal reforms and addressing systemic inequalities to grappling with far-right nationalism and racism, Elena highlights the challenges and transformations shaping the experiences of displaced scholars in Romania.

Focusing on Ukrainian academics and intersecting vulnerabilities faced by women and queer scholars, she investigates identity, professional success, and strategies for career resilience amidst a backdrop of systemic delays in academia’s response to social and political shifts. With a gender-sensitive perspective and qualitative methodology, Elena sheds light on the complexities of forging a scholarly identity within a receiving academic environment unaccustomed to its new role.

In this episode, we are joined by our colleague, Dr. Nadiya Kiss, a social linguist from Ukraine and co-founder of the Vision Ukraine – Education, Language, Migration research network. Drawing from her extensive work on language policy and activism, Nadiya explores the pivotal role of language in migration and identity formation, especially in the context of forced displacement.

She discusses the linguistic behaviors of Ukrainian migrants in Germany, their rejection of Russian as a colonial language, and how these shifts symbolize resistance, identity transformation, and community building. Nadiya also reflects on how language influences narratives in research settings and its significance as a bridge for integration and resilience in times of social challenges.

In this episode, we get to know our colleague Tania Arcimovich, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Erfurt and a key member of the Protecting Academia at Risk project. Originally from Minsk, Tania reflects on her journey to Germany, her evolving identity as a scholar, and the impact of displacement on academic life.

Tania shares her unique perspective as a Belarusian researcher, focusing on the experiences of female migrant academics and the structural challenges they face. Her work explores how gender, risk, and forced migration influence both scholarly routines and the knowledge produced within academia.

Tune in to learn how Tania’s personal journey and academic expertise contribute to rethinking academic freedom and resilience in times of uncertainty.

In this episode, we hear from our colleague, Prof. Dr. Bernhard Kleeberg from the History of Science (Historical Department) at the University of Erfurt. Prof. Kleeberg discusses his work on political epistemologies and the cultures of knowledge, focusing on how scientific habits and political frameworks intertwine. As a historian of science, he shares insights into the Political Epistemologies of Central and Eastern Europe research network, which he co-founded in 2015, and explores themes like academic authority, dissidence, and gender epistemologies.

Prof. Kleeberg delves into the micro-politics of scientific research, examining how political agendas and scholarly identities shape day-to-day academic practices. He also reflects on how systems of knowledge are disrupted by events such as the arrival of refugee scholars, prompting new questions and challenging established norms.

Tune in to explore how the intersections of politics and science reshape academic spaces in Central and Eastern Europe.

In this episode, Alina Dragolea, Associate Professor at the National University of Political Science and Public Administration in Bucharest, discusses the complex dynamics of "academia at risk" in both high- and low-ranked universities. She challenges Western-centric views on academic migration and explores how diverse institutional and national contexts shape the experiences and support strategies for at-risk scholars. Alina calls for a more nuanced approach that considers the unique challenges of European peripheries and moves beyond one-size-fits-all policies.

In this episode, Dina Gusejnova (PhD in History, University of Cambridge), Associate Professor in International History at LSE, shares her insights on the complexities of supporting scholars at risk in Europe. With research interests in modern European political, intellectual, and cultural history—particularly during transitional periods such as the revolutions of 1918-20 and the two World Wars—Dina is currently working on the cultural and intellectual history of forced displacement and internment during the Second World War. Drawing from her expertise and personal background as a descendant of academic migrants, she explores the challenges of integrating displaced academics, the unintended consequences of current mobility frameworks, and reflects on the research that led to the co-authored article Rewarding Mobility: Towards a Realistic European Policy Agenda for Academics at Risk, written with Andrea Pető, Alina Dragolea, and other colleagues, which inspired the current project. Tune in to learn more about the shifting dynamics of academic risk and how policy can better address the needs of scholars in vulnerable situations.