A fierce debate is currently unfolding in the Danish public sphere as well as internationally. On the one side of this debate, there are researchers who feel an urgent need to pool their resources and use their expertise to push society in a sustainable direction. On the other side of the debate, there are politicians and media pundits who intend to fight, tooth and nail, to preserve what they perceive as a politically neutral university system. When scholars become activists, the very foundation of contemporary society is set in motion. But perhaps society is moving in a positive direction? Perhaps we should embrace the notion of intellectual activism?