Universities show their stance

Science needs freedom from political influence. It is the basis for innovation, progress, and democracy and must be actively defended.

Scientific freedom is enshrined in the Basic Law – it protects research from political interference. Free science is the basis for innovation, progress, and democracy. Yet, more and more often, researchers are threatened, entire research disciplines are defamed, or their work is restricted – even in the name of academic freedom.

When science is under pressure, democracy is also in danger.

Science thrives on critical thinking and new ideas, not on ideological distortion. Authoritarian bans on thinking endanger open discourse.

Science thrives on innovative ideas, systematic analysis, critical exchange, the pursuit of truth, and openness to results—not on ideological distortion, right-wing populist oversimplification, or authoritarian bans on thinking. She values complexity, challenges dogmatic truth claims, and makes marginalized perspectives visible. That is why she is being attacked by right-wing extremists and populists.

It is not new ideas and research approaches that threaten science, but the attempt to discipline it authoritatively.

Science provides verifiable facts and strengthens critical thinking. It is an effective tool against disinformation and populism.

Democracy needs verifiable facts. Universities provide them. Science tests claims, strengthens critical thinking, creates orientation – and thus enables informed decisions. This is exactly why right-wing extremist and populist forces try to delegitimize and silence them.

Science is our most effective tool against myths and misinformation.

Universities need autonomy in research, teaching, and structure. Political and economic pressure jeopardizes trust and innovative power.

Universities need freedom of design – in research, teaching, and structure. Only free from political and economic constraints can science fully develop. Political pressure undermines trust in science, the neoliberal logic of exploitation stifles the drive for knowledge, and the underfunding of universities for years has hindered progress and innovation.

Universities need autonomy – not austerity and authoritarian influence.

Scientific excellence is born from diverse perspectives. Equal opportunity is an educational necessity – not a side issue.

Science thrives on diverse perspectives, methods, and questions.Universities have the mission to enforce the fundamental right to education for all. Equality of opportunity is not a luxury for minorities, but an educational necessity and a prerequisite for academic excellence. However, right-wing extremist and populist attacks on marginalized groups, diversity work, and research fields that are critical of discrimination are increasing.

Science needs diversity of perspectives – not uniformity and exclusion.

Universities are spaces for dialogue and global exchange. Isolation and restriction jeopardize their social relevance.

Universities are spaces of diversity, dialogue, and global exchange. But authoritarian forces want to isolate them and silence socially critical voices. Where science shuts itself off, it loses its social relevance and innovative power. Societal and global crises are fueled but not resolved.

Openness is the key to knowledge, progress, and democracy.

Critical disciplines and diversity work make science future-proof. Cuts under the guise of reducing bureaucracy are dangerous.

Critical disciplines such as climate, gender, and racism research are increasingly under attack. Under the guise of "reducing bureaucracy," there is a threat of cuts to equality, diversity, and anti-discrimination work at universities. It is precisely the promotion of these research and work areas that makes science inclusive, relevant, and sustainable.

What clarifies, protects, and connects should not be cut.

Attacks on individuals are attacks on science and society. Solidarity means standing together and showing your support in a visible way.

Hate, threats, and violence against students, teachers, and researchers are on the rise – whether racist, queerphobic, or antifeminist. However, attacks on individual researchers and members of structurally discriminated groups are an attack on the free society and science itself. Solidarity means standing together – visibly, decisively, intersectionally.

An attack on one is an attack on all of us.

Science requires fair educational and career opportunities. Universities must take a clear stance against exclusion and hatred of people.

Right-wing extremist agitation deliberately targets research and measures for equality, diversity, and social justice that are critical of discrimination. Yet science thrives on participation, diverse perspectives, and equal educational and career opportunities for all. Universities have a responsibility to clearly reject exclusion, discrimination, and hatred of people.

Equality of opportunity is not a "nice extra" but a democratic fundamental value.

Critical discourse is a prerequisite for knowledge and democracy. Science must not become conformist with authority – it must remain uncomfortable.

Science thrives on critical discourse, not on subordination and conformity. A critical examination of knowledge and power structures is not a threat, but a prerequisite for knowledge, enlightenment, and democracy. Authoritarian forces want to control research because they fear social change and loss of status.

Those who want a science that conforms to authority weaken its democratic power.