Attacks on academic freedom: It's not just the AfD that is agitating against universities

dossier

“The AfD Saxony-Anhalt specifically asks for lists of post-colonial seminars and chairs. How universities are beginning to arm themselves against the attacks. (…) The AfD parliamentary group leader Oliver Kirchner recently called for “Science instead of manipulation – stop gender policy at universities” in research and teaching to “no longer allow activities to take place that […] unsettle the traditional relationship between the sexes”. Apprenticeships should be reallocated and eliminated. (…) The request reads as if the AfD was already working on a list of enemies (…) “I was shocked by colleagues who had given out lists of names and projects - instead of standing up confidently and letting this attack on academic freedom roll off.” (…) After the request, the Rectorate founded a commission to make the university more resilient to anti-science attacks…” More extensiveArticle by Gareth Joswig from October 14, 2025 in the taz online (“Attack on the freedom of science”) – also about Merseburg University, which was more willing to provide information… See more about this and background information:

• Science under pressure: Right-wing hostility towards researchers is increasing
  “Hate mail, telephone terror, physical violence – the attacks were not only directed against individuals, but against science as such, says right-wing extremism researcher Juliane Lang.
  After a media interview in which she spoke about the participation of right-wing extremists in the farmers' protests, an agricultural scientist was massively attacked - from hate mail and telephone terror to defamation videos on the Internet to specific threats and actual physical violence. A professor of democracy and dictatorship research at his university received a letter with a picture of a pistol and the sentence “goes in the ear, stays in the head.” An energy economist has been attacked by the extreme right on social media platforms for years and has also received death threats.
  These shocking incidents are in the publication“Dealing with right-wing hostility towards science” of the research projectGERDEAlisted at the Justus Liebig University in Giessen. They are no longer isolated cases: hostility from right-wing extremists against researchers has increased over the past ten years, according to Giessen right-wing extremism researcher Juliane Lang. These are no longer directed only against right-wing extremism research or individuals, but against science as such, she says.
  The aim is “the idea of ​​an open, critical and democratic science itself,” it says in the GERDEA handout, which project leader and co-author Lang at the13th GEW Science Conference “Science under Pressure: Perspectives on Academic Freedom” will be presented on October 2nd in Erfurt. The hostility no longer just consists of anonymous comments on scientific studies on social media, but now comes directly from the AfD party leadership, says Lang.
  It is not just a matter of formulating criticism of individual positions, but rather, for example, of reshaping the social sciences, which are the enemy of extreme right-wing parties, according to their own ideas and, for example, of abolishing gender studies entirely.
  Intimidation and restriction as a goal
  According to a representativeOpinion poll of the German Center for Higher Education and Science Research (DZHW) in cooperation with the project network KAPAZ (capacities and competencies in dealing with hate speech and hostility to science) from May 2024, 45 percent of the approximately 2,600 researchers surveyed have experienced at least one form of hostility themselves. Humanities scholars are affected above average (51 percent), followed by the life sciences (46 percent) and social sciences (45). percent), but also the natural sciences (45 percent).
  Lang also emphasizes: "From the exchange with colleagues, I notice that wherever women are the focus, criticism and insults do not only refer to their content-related work, but often also to their being as a woman in science. Colleagues with a visible or assumed migration history feel the same way." 
  The extreme right's hostility is aimed at intimidating and ultimately restricting socially critical science. According to the GERDEA project, some researchers report concerns about communicating their own findings or even withdraw from the public. (…)
  The publication, which was created together with the Federal Association of Mobile Advice, also provides ten recommendations for dealing with right-wing and right-wing extremist hostility. Lang gives the example of careful handling of personal data: Scientists do not necessarily have to be found online with a photo and address; a reference to a secretariat could also be sufficient. “It’s also important to know who I can contact, for example if a law firm sends a cease and desist request.” In addition, it generally makes sense to set up support structures at an early stage. (…)
  Problem with time limits
  A special problem is presented by researchers who work in temporary research projects, which is increasingly the norm, as Lang explains, who herself is affected by this. If, after the end of the project, there is hostility or so-called SLAPP lawsuits from right-wing and right-wing extremist actors, and the scientists are no longer employed at the university, they often no longer have the protection under labor law…”Article by Nadine Emmerich from September 17, 2026 at GEW with further links
• [“Science against Fascism”] “We are threatened with a frontal attack”. Why science doesn't want to hide in the ivory tower but instead mobilizes against the AfD
  “…Many scientists want to make it clear that the AfD is not a normal party, but has right-wing extremist, neo-fascist tendencies. In June we organized a week of action, which was primarily supported by students against the right. There were a total of 240 events. The response was huge. In Erfurt, for example, around 500 students were active in networking, an incredible number for such a city. In Jena, hundreds came to a student meeting. There's real oomph behind it. We also adopted a declaration and held a meeting with 600 people entitled: “Before it is too late”. We were also present at the protest against the AfD party conference in Erfurt with our own science block. (…) We are threatened with a frontal attack on academic freedom and the independence of research and teaching. If the AfD comes to power at the state level, it can have a lot of influence in this area. In Saxony-Anhalt it has already announced that it will restrict the participation of mid-level staff and students at universities. With financing it has a lot of leverage: What is the money spent on? Where are cuts being made? A look at the USA shows that many funding projects are threatened with extinction. This particularly affects equality policy, gender and postcolonial studies, as well as everything related to democracy, right-wing extremism and migration research. Natural sciences such as climate research or vaccine research are also being targeted. Instead, the AfD wants to promote so-called critical Islamic research. It's very clear what's coming our way. There will be a shift in discourse - and a climate will arise in which many no longer feel safe. (…)
  [What role can science play in pushing back right-wing ideas?]
  Many in science have come to the point that they feel it is their duty to take an open position and point out dangers. In such a situation, we cannot simply pursue our critical research quietly. We consciously seek contact with the public and do not want to hide in the ivory tower, as we are sometimes accused of doing. After all, we have expertise, for example on the question: Who will vote for AfD? And why? We can offer explanations – and show how we can take countermeasures…” Interview by Marcel Jaspert with the sociologist Prof. Dr. Stefan Schmalz in the campus newspaperon September 9th, 2026 at ver.di Health, Social Services, Education and Science for theAlliance “Science Against Fascism” 
• Standing together against the frontal attack on universities and civil society: University block at the “Saxony-Anhalt Cosmopolitan” demonstration on September 5th in Magdeburg
  “Dear colleagues, dear fellow students, the independent, civil society network “Saxony-Anhalt cosmopolitan” stands for a diverse, democratic and solidarity-based Saxony-Anhalt. One day before the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, on Saturday, September 5, 2026, the alliance is calling for people to take to the streets together to create visibility for the country's democratic forces. As universities and colleges, we want to set an example together with committed civil society before the election and make it clear that the democratic forces stand together. (…) The AfD is now preparing an authoritarian frontal attack on universities in Saxony-Anhalt and other federal states. (…) As we saw from Trump's attack on universities in the USA, these are not empty words. Our colleagues and fellow students in Saxony-Anhalt will be among the first to be targeted. As employees and students at universities across Germany, we are now asked to defend our rights, interests and values. That's why we call on you to take to the streets with us at the demonstration on September 5, 2026 in Magdeburg. The demonstration begins at 1:30 p.m. at Willy-Brandt-Platz (Elbe side station) and ends at Domplatz. We will come together in a common university block. We'll meet at the Sparda bank…”Call from August 12, 2026 at Uni gegen Rechts for the demo at the DEMOCRACY FESTIVAL on September 5th, 2026 in Magdeburg, seehttps://sachsenanhalt-weltoffen.de/ 
• Art and cultural studies call for the defense of academic freedom against right-wing extremist and right-wing populist attacks
  “An alliance of associations, clubs and working groups emerged in July 2026 from the circle of institutions represented in the committee convened by the association to protect academic freedom in art history. The alliance is now calling for a position paper to defend academic freedom against right-wing extremist and right-wing populist attacks. The joint position paper describes the situation, explicitly names right-wing extremism and right-wing populism as a threat and calls for strengthening the resilience of scientific and cultural institutions. The association's board is also currently developing its own paper dedicated to the protection of academic freedom in art history…”Press release from August 25, 2026 from the German Association for Art History for thecall 
• Right-wing intimidation attempts, calls for “hunting” and two death threats against Professor Christina Brüning at the University of Marburg
  • Letter of solidarity for Marburg professor Christina Brüning, who was threatened by right-wing attacks and death threats in the rooms of the University of Marburg 
    “Prof. Dr. Christina Brüning and her team research and teach at the Department of History Didactics at the Philipps University of Marburg on important topics in historical-political (teacher) education with a focus on democracy education, right-wing extremism, Shoah education, culture of remembrance, anti-Semitism and gender studies. Due to this content profile, the (university political) commitment against the extreme right and the diversity of the team, Christina Brüning and her employees at her university have been experiencing hostility and threats from students from or with connections to extreme right-wing fraternities and the “Junge Alternative” for a long time. Since she began working at the University of Marburg, there have been disruptions to courses, anti-feminist and other right-wing messages in course evaluations and questions about their objectivity. In particular, since her participation in a scientific counter-event in the Marburg town hall against the “Student Historian Congress” of various student associations and fraternities, including those from the umbrella organization of the German fraternity, in October 2025, the attacks have intensified both quantitatively and qualitatively. (…)
    Even though the department where Christina Brüning's chair is located positions itself against right-wing extremism in its mission statement, the University of Marburg has so far failed to position itself clearly and consistently against extreme right-wing influence, threats and violence at the university and against university members. Individual people in charge of the university management express their concern and promise protection and educational efforts. However, a clear political classification of the case is missing, as is a self-critical recognition that consistent action has not been taken in dealing with threats and violence in recent years.
    The measure taken by the university management to allocate secret rooms to Christina Brüning and her team is correct and important in order to protect those affected. This reaction also makes it clear that the university is obviously taking the threats seriously. It is therefore almost cynical that it does not publicly name and condemn the extreme right-wing background to the threat early and consistently. (…) Due to the lack of clear naming and condemnation of the extreme right-wing background of the threats from the university, the impact of violence is individualized and the narrative of an individual case is strengthened. In addition, an uncomfortable woman is causing unrest here - a classic sexist and anti-feminist figure. This in turn makes it easy not to show solidarity with the person being attacked. The silence and lack of solidarity obscures the fact that the violence is not exclusively attacks against individual people, but that Christina Brüning and her team are being attacked as a personified enemy of egalitarian and progressive social ideas. (…) Theoretical knowledge production, exchange and comprehensively developed concepts are not worth much if they are not translated into concrete action. This includes the collective responsibility of all university members in everyday university life: showing attention and sensitivity, be it by reading posters, stickers or in conversations in seminars, lectures, canteens, cafeterias, etc.It is not productive to hope and trust that the administrative structures and offices of the dean's offices of the respective faculties act as "Big Brother" and that you can sit back and relax. The creation of appropriate solidarity contact points and networks is not only helpful for documenting right-wing incidents and independent support structures, but is also a visible positioning against the increasing threat from right-wing actors at universities. In the hierarchical university system, a lot of power and responsibility lies with the highest management level. In this context, the insistence on a supposed neutrality, which is often invoked by universities, is dangerous. There can be no neutrality in the face of extreme right-wing intimidation attempts…”Solidarity letter dated July 17, 2026 at the network feminist perspectives & interventions against the (extreme) right, created together withSolidarity network against the right at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen/Nuremberg (“Letter of solidarity for Prof. Dr. Christina Brüning from FemPi &SoliRex”) – see alsothe list of signatories (No. 74: Mag Wompel, LabourNet Germany)
  • “Marburg has become a place of fear for me”: Professor reports on death threats at the University of Marburg
    “Greetings with calls for murder, disruptions in seminars and growing pressure: Marburg historian Christina Brüning speaks publicly for the first time about threats against her, why she no longer feels safe at her own university - and, above all, perceives danger from the right.
    The day the first death threat came was Christina Brüning's birthday. The Marburg history professor doesn't know whether that was a coincidence. Or should someone actually have found out her personal information? In any case, it was exactly this Saturday in December when the graffiti appeared - on the wall of a men's toilet in the Marburg University Library. “Throw Prof. Christina Brüning off the roof of the PhilFak!” was written there. (…)
    Call to “hunt” the professor
    A few days later, a second threat followed - not only more direct in the choice of words, but also spatially closer, as Brüning reports. Volunteers were wanted, it was written on the wall, for the “hunt” for Brüning in order to “eviscerate” her. This time it was discovered directly in the Faculty of Philosophy, where she was supposed to teach shortly afterwards, in the toilet next to the seminar room. (…)The university and the professor filed a complaint, and the state security agency responsible for politically motivated crimes got involved. However, the perpetrators and background are still unknown; When asked, the investigation has now been stopped without results.
    Professor speaks publicly for the first time
    The professor concerned has not yet wanted to be identified by name. Hessenschau was in discussions with her for months. Now Brüning decided to speak publicly about the incidents - and what they did to her.Brüning reports: The burden is still great for her. Above all, what remained for them was the uncertainty – and the fear. She now works exclusively from home. Your working group changed rooms in consultation with the university management. There are no longer nameplates on the doors. The new rooms are not mentioned on the university's website either. (…)Christina Brüning says today: This wasn't the only hostility she experienced in the past. For years she has had the feeling that pressure and distress on her and her work have been increasing - based on what she sees as the aggressively disruptive behavior of some of her students.
    Brüning teaches history didactics, so prospective teachers sit in her lectures and seminars. She reports: Individual male students repeatedly attract attention through derogatory heckling, discriminatory statements or demonstrative groans, for example when Brüning uses gender language. “Work assignments have also been repeatedly refused, for example when it comes to criticism of racism.” Her teaching skills were also questioned in evaluation forms.
    Students report “nationalistic ideas”
    Hessenschau also spoke to several students in the department. They confirm that such disruptions occurred: Disrespectful statements towards minorities were made in discussions, reported one student who wished to remain anonymous. Another spoke of “nationalistic ideas” that had been expressed. There are often no dissenting voices and many fellow students “hide away,” she said. Teaching staff seem overwhelmed. Several students told the hessenschau that they felt uncomfortable in the history seminars. According to students, this applies not only to Brüning's events, but also to others in the department. Employees from Brüning's team confirm: Many people are now intimidated, and their worries are particularly high after the threats. (…)With all of this, the professor could have become a target - for hostility from various directions. However, Brüning explained to the hessenschau: She feels under pressure at the university primarily from people who, in her opinion, represent right-wing extremist views and who are sometimes also organized in right-wing extremist groups. This is also where she locates those who would disrupt her courses. (…)
    Researchers: Targeted attacks on individuals
    Christoph Haker from the University of Flensburg researches the topic of right-wing populism and right-wing extremism at universities and also cooperates with Christina Brüning and the University of Marburg.  According to research recently published by Haker, the proportion of students with right-wing extremist orientations within the student body is comparatively low overall.  In the interview, however, Haker explains: One can certainly observe that universities are becoming the target of extreme right-wing influence. This is also evident at other university locations. “It is quite typical that individuals are specifically singled out and attacked.” The ultimate goal is to push corresponding scientists out of teaching. He demands: Universities must deal proactively with such situations and become more linguistically capable overall.
    Marburg becomes a “place of fear” for Brüning
    Christina Brüning says: For a long time she felt her concerns were not taken sufficiently seriously and protected. The university's now clearly formulated reactions would come years too late for them. “Marburg has now become a place of fear for me,” says Brüning. She avoided the university town for months. At times she even thought about early retirement due to the psychological stress, reports the 45-year-old. She is now looking for positions at other universities.”Report by Jan-Christoph Scholz, Anna Spieß and Rebekka Dieckmann from June 11, 2026 on hessenschau.de , see also:
    • Brüning case at Marburg University: New investigations and “full solidarity” after threats against the professor
      “After reports of threats and hostility against a Marburg professor, the police are investigating again. Students and the scientific association react with concern. The responsible minister promises support.
      When asked, the Central Hesse Police Headquarters informed the hr that new investigations had been started as a result of the current reporting on incidents in connection with the Marburg professor Christina Brüning. However, it's not about the death threats, but about anti-Semitic graffiti that is said to have appeared at the university in May. According to the police, a criminal complaint has been filed in this regard and the state security service has been called in again. Specifically, they are investigating suspicions of inflammatory insults and possible damage to property to the detriment of the university…”Contribution by Rebekka Dieckmann, Jan-Christoph Scholz and Victoria Enzenauer from June 12, 2026 on hessenschau.de 
  • State security investigates: death threat against scientist at the University of Marburg
    “A death threat against a scientist was daubed on a wall at the Philipps University of Marburg. Police and state security are investigating. The university strongly condemns the incident. A death threat against a scientist at Philipps University in Marburg is causing unrest there. The threat was written with a pen on a publicly visible wall of the university, university president Thomas Nauss told the hr on Tuesday.
    The background is still unclear
    The name of the scientist and the exact wording do not want to be published. Nauss described the content of the threat as “dehumanizing” and “unambiguous.” There are no indications of a possible ideological background. However, Nauss announced that state security had been involved. State security investigates, among other things, potentially politically motivated and extremist crimes. (…)
    Anti-science attacks also in the past
    According to university president Nauss, researchers at the university have repeatedly been the target of “anti-scientific and anti-feminist attacks” in the past. However, a new level of escalation has now been reached. “There is no place for threats, violence or intimidation at our university,” emphasized Professor Nauss. The university sees the threats not just as an attack on a single person, but on the entire academic community and academic freedom.
    The university stands behind those affected
    “We stand firmly by our colleague and her team,” explained Nauss. The university, together with the researcher's working group, took measures to ensure safety and enable scientific work to continue. “We will not be intimidated and will not back down.”…”Report from December 16, 2025 on hessenschau.de 
  • Outing and calls for violence have no place at the university. The university's call for appropriate discourse
    “At the Philipps University of Marburg there has recently been an increase in graffiti and calls for violence against people or groups of people. This includes misogynistic and anti-Semitic as well as outing graffiti. The university has reported all cases known to it. The police are investigating. Anyone who acts like this leaves the free democratic basic order and the foundation of our university's values: cohesion, mutual support and shared democratic values. As a place for the exchange of knowledge and ideas, the university is part of the democratic constitutional state. The exchange of opinions takes place in university discourse with respect and in a non-violent framework. Outing, threats and violence have no place at the university. Prof. Dr. Thomas Nauss, President of the Philipps University of Marburg“Report from the University of Marburg from May 13, 2026 
• Putting out fires together: How we protect democracy and science
  "There are fires everywhere right now and you don't know where to put out the fire first. Last week, our federal government burst into the middle of the acute threat to our democracy with its reform package - a package that in turn threatens to destroy democratic structures and their prerequisites. (...) At the non-partisan technical discussion in the Bundestag, I spoke out in my opening statement in favor of three measures with the help of which we can strengthen universities in the face of the current threat situation. (...)
  1) A real reform of the WissZeitVG is finally needed. (…) Where will the money for this come from? Well, from measure
  2: The basic financing should be strengthened with funds from the federal and state governments instead of channeling these funds into third-party funding. (…)
  3) All pillars of university financing and organization must be secured against right-wing populist and right-wing extremist attacks through long-term planning and reducing entry points for blockades or manipulation, such as the unanimity principle. Unfortunately, instead of addressing such urgent science policy issues, our federal government is creating new, additional construction sites - I'll come to them now. (…)
  The coalition leaders of the CDU/CSU and SPD are not only planning a reform of the IFG that would be tantamount to abolishing it - there will also be an expansion of fixed-term employment options in the general labor market: Excessive fixed-term employment, which we with #IchBinHanna have been criticizing for years as an inglorious exception in the academic sector, should now increasingly find its way into the general labor market. Kristin Eichhorn, Sebastian Kubon and I wrote the following to our contacts from the SPD parliamentary group on Friday - perhaps it can serve as an inspiration for some to get in touch with SPD MPs, as Arne Semsrott suggested in the taz: "It is with great concern that we noted the reform package that became known yesterday. Its implementation would obviously have massively negative consequences for our democracy, our science and the working conditions in our country. We want to join in two people here express aspects that we consider to be particularly serious given our science policy expertise as initiators of #IchBinHanna.
  1. Lack of transparency in government actions due to reform of the Freedom of Information Act (…) The IFG is a central instrument of our democracy. The planned reform would practically abolish its function. (…)
  2. Expansion of fixed-term contracts: The core of our initiative is the protest against unreasonable working conditions in science, which arise, among other things, from excessive fixed-term contracts through the Science Temporary Contract Act. (…) We have known and identified the disastrous effects of fixed-term employment in science for years - it harms employees and their work. We would therefore like to urge you to work towards improving working conditions instead of supporting an unacceptable deterioration. That would simply be unworthy of a social democratic party…”Post from July 7, 2026 by and at 'Working in Science' 
• Democracy under pressure: What does this mean for university teaching? A handout for teachers at the Ruhr-University Bochum
  “The Ruhr University has published a “handout” and presents it on its website: “How do you react if someone makes anti-democratic comments in a seminar? Teachers will find argumentation aids and examples in the new handout. Anti-democratic forces do not stop at courses. To what extent is a personal positioning in teaching possible or even necessary? How do we fulfill our duty of care and protection towards students and employees without closing off spaces for discourse?
  And what can university teaching contribute to strengthening students’ ability to participate in democracy? These questions are addressed in the new handout for teachers, which the Rectorate of the Ruhr University Bochum approved with great approval on June 10, 2026. (…)
  In addition to the university-wide action plan to promote democracy and diversity, Michalina Trompeta, head of the anti-discrimination office, and Dr. Peter Salden, head of the Center for Science Didactics, developed the handout. It was discussed intensively in two university commissions. The handout formulates current challenges in university teaching, clarifies the legal framework and reflects how teachers can specifically deal with everyday discriminatory, politically radical or extremist statements.
  Another central question is how teaching can strengthen students' democratic competence and what commitment to the constitution means for teachers' self-image…”Report from June 18, 2026 in bo-alternative (“Handout for teachers on democracy under pressure”) on:
  • Democracy under pressure: What does this mean for university teaching?A handout for teachers from June 2026 
• Broad criticism of the TU Berlin's premature obedience to the requirements for the “Take back the future” congress after the AfD threatened to sue because of its “neutrality requirement” 
  • Anti-fascist congress in Berlin successfully defended against the AfD's attempts at intimidation, but: the damage is done
    “A left-wing student congress successfully resisted being prevented by the AfD. But the Technical University doesn't cut a good figure.
    The good news first: The AfD has failed in its attempt to torpedo what it sees as an unpleasant student event. The anti-capitalist youth congress “Take back the future” will take place as planned this weekend at the Technical University of Berlin (TU). It was not without pride that the left-wing student association SDS announced on Friday that it had successfully defended its congress against the AfD's attempts at intimidation.However, this victory gives at least as much cause for concern as it does for joy. Firstly, the TU Executive Board, like the Magdeburg City Library recently, appears to have caved in out of fear of legal action by the AfD. This is supported by the fact that she first presented the students with a list of 14 events potentially critical of the AfD - without explaining why these debates should not fall under academic freedom in the same way as other socially critical contributions. The “compromise” between TU and SDS now stipulates that events with a party political flavor are allowed to take place, but not in the university’s premises.And that brings us to the real problem: The TU gives the impression that part of Congress is violating an alleged neutrality requirement. Just as the AfD repeatedly claims across the country when teachers deal critically with racism, schools take a stand against discrimination and for diversity, or universities warn about the rise of right-wing enemies of democracy. Political educators have been explaining for years how fundamentally wrong this idea is. There is no obligation to be neutral. On the contrary, there is a duty to warn about the dangers to democracy, especially at schools and universities. Unfortunately, even parts of the Union have not understood this to this day…”Comment by Ralf Pauli from June 12, 2026 in the taz online (“Antifascist Congress in Berlin: The Damage is Done”)
  • Attacks on freedom of events at the TU Berlin: Universities must not become a plaything for right-wing interventions
    “ver.di Berlin-Brandenburg criticizes the requirements of the TU Berlin for the “Take back the future” congress. The TU Berlin is reacting to legal threats from the AfD environment. This gives the AfD and those around it influence before they can fill state positions. A lawyer close to the AfD has threatened to take legal action against the Technical University of Berlin, citing the requirement of political neutrality. The aim is to have the Take back the future congress, which is organized by the student association SDS, among others, or to have some events at this congress banned. The TU Berlin has now banned parts of the congress.
    "Universities are not politically neutral spaces in the sense that all positions are equated in terms of content. On the contrary: as places of science, education and public discourse, they are dependent on university policy actors being able to actively use spaces for political, social and scientific debates. In times of the rise of right-wing extremist forces that fundamentally attack the values of the Basic Law, there must be space at the universities for the debate with these forces," says Jana Seppelt, ver.di state department head for science Berlin-Brandenburg.
    Especially as public places that are supposed to guarantee free access to knowledge and diversity, universities are increasingly a symbolic target of right-wing political groups like the AfD. What is evident here is not an isolated case, but rather part of a larger development. In recent years, ver.di Berlin-Bradenburg has observed a new quality and quantity of such conflicts. These are often not spontaneous, individual initiatives, but rather strategically planned disputes and targeted scandals intended to put public educational institutions under pressure. What happens at universities or in libraries becomes a symbolic battle for the sovereignty of cultural interpretation in society. The university itself becomes the arena in which this social “culture war” is fought. The current interventions are specifically aimed at putting pressure on universities and their actors, challenging them or even overtaxing them and thus testing the limits of academic and political freedom…”Press release from June 11, 2026 from ver.di Berlin Brandenburg 
  • Antifascist Congress in Berlin: TU cancels lectures against the AfD
    “A student congress is to remove 14 events from the program. The organizers suspect that this demand comes from the AfD.
    The organizers of the anti-capitalist youth congress “Take back the future” are resisting interference in their program. At the event organized by the Socialist-Democratic Student Association (SDS) at the Technical University of Berlin (TU) next weekend, around 1,500 students say they want to exchange ideas about measures against the AfD, against fascism and authoritarianism.
    But now the Congress is in jeopardy. The TU informed the organizers on Tuesday that they should remove 14 events from the program so that the congress as a whole can take place at the university. In total it includes more than 90 lectures, panel discussions and workshops.
    One of the events that the TU wants to remove from the program is a lecture by the sociologist Andreas Kemper on the topic “Björn Höcke – Exposing a Fascist”. Kemper was horrified on Wednesday: "It would be a clear restriction on academic freedom if Björn Höcke's fascist agenda could not be described as a fascist agenda," he told the taz. “My lecture is not about defaming Björn Höcke, but rather I am explaining why Höcke should be interpreted as a fascist and why he is behind Landolf Ladig’s neo-Nazi texts,” says Kemper. (��)
    According to the SDS, the TU Executive Board argues that the events in question violated the neutrality requirement. The SDS, in turn, suspects that the AfD itself could be behind the TU's removal list. The party is said to have submitted a multi-page “report” to the university.(…)
    “The AfD wants to prevent our congress,” says Veronika Dinter, press spokeswoman for the “Take Back The Future” congress. “This is an attack on universities as places of critical discourse.” She called on everyone to come to the congress now. “We must not give in to the AfD,” she said. The SDS also demands this from the TU.”Article by Uta Schleiermacher from June 10, 2026 in the taz online 
  • “On Saturday I will give a lecture on fascism by Björn Höcke at the TU Berlin. Or not. A lawyer threatened the TU. They are considering not allowing some lectures during the SDS Congress. Especially not those who deal with fascism, including my lecture
    Fascists must be named as fascists. Universities are tasked with conducting and facilitating scientific research. Even if anti-science parties and their lawyers don't like this. Scientific research includes sociology and also various approaches to research into fascism. It is in the very best interest of the academic freedom of universities not to restrict research into fascism, because this academic freedom would be one of the first victims of fascistization processes. It cannot be the case that the TU Berlin is stopping lectures on the fascist danger, including a lecture by me on fascism by Björn Höcke, because a lawyer has put pressure on them…”Post by Andreas Kemper on June 10, 2026 on bsky 
  • “Academic freedom is destroying itself through premature obedience.”  Oliver Nachtwey on June 10, 2026 on bsky to the link to the taz article
  • AFD attacks SDS youth congress in TU Berlin: Urgent call for solidarity
    “The youth congress of the Socialist Democratic Student Association (SDS) is attacked. The fact that the implementation and agenda of a large left-wing congress is to be hindered and restricted at the instigation of the AFD and that a UNI leadership is acting as the boss of a right-wing party is a new quality. That needs an answer. Solidarity and, if necessary, consequences must be drawn from those responsible. Here is the call from the organizers…”Contribution by Peter Vlatten from June 10, 2026 at the Trade Union Left Berlin Forum 
  • See the congress page:https://take-back-the-future.com 
  • See also our dossier:Political education in school and science - under the supposed requirement of neutrality
• More than 500 scientists have called for a theme week “Science Against Fascism” for the week from June 1st to 7th 
  • Call fascism that way too. With the “Science Against Fascism” action week, students and university professors are mobilizing against the shift to the right
    “…took place on Wednesday eveningunder the motto "Responsibility in times of fascist danger - science between analysis and democratic resistance" the central event of the action week at Berlin's Humboldt Universityinstead of. The podium was held at dozens of universities nationwidefollowed via stream . Margarita Tsomou, professor of contemporary theater practice in Osnabrück and one of the initiators of the action week, moderated the evening and began with praise for the “students against the right”. In just a few weeks, the students would have put together a great program. Tsomou viewed the large participation in “Science Against Fascism” as a “political signal.” One can already notice at universities how the “spaces of what can be said are narrowing.” The demands for “apolitical” and “neutral” science are increasing, and this is entirely in line with the AfD’s ideas, as Margarita Tsomou explains with regard to the AfD Saxony-Anhalt’s election program. Because universities are the place where it is determined which knowledge is hegemonic, it is so important for the AfD to get access to them.
    Margarita Tsomou would like to know from the philosopher Rahel Jaeggi why it is in theFeuilletons of the Republic There is currently a debate as to whether one can speak of “fascism” when considering the danger from the right. Jaeggi explains that people have been avoiding the term for years, instead talking about “right-wing populism” or group-related misanthropy. But there is now an “urgency” in science to talk about fascism. This is not happening to create alarmism, as Jan Philipp Reemtsma suggested in the “FAZ”, but because of real developments. However, Jaeggi himself believes it is more appropriate to speak of “fascistation,” as this shows more clearly that society is in a process that can, but does not necessarily, lead to fascism. Jaeggi can see parallels between the Maga movement and the AfD with historical fascist movements and points to the great social mobilization of the extreme right-wing movements of the present. Jaeggi accuses those who reject the concept of fascism in the current debate of having a false image: "Many people think that it is only fascism when a few million end up in extermination camps, but that is a misleading idea of ​​what is happening."
    Naika Foroutan, professor of integration research and social policy at Humboldt University, believes it is appropriate to speak of fascism. Socially, things change very quickly,the ICE operations in the USA one could certainly compare with Mussolini's “black shirts”. Under the guise of increasing efficiency and reducing bureaucracy, people from Elon Musk's DOGE to conservatives in Germany are spreading sentiment against constitutional procedures. With regard to the AfD, Foroutan warns: "It starts with a group and then goes on." In the election program for Saxony-Anhalt, the party no longer only agitates against refugees from Syria and Afghanistan, but also against people from Ukraine.
    The lawyerMaximilian Steinbeis from the constitution blog explained, based on the experiences in Thuringia andJustice Project mentioned that a “vulnerability analysis” had been carried out. The hope that by improving the constitution one can protect oneself from the danger from the right is “deceptive and dangerous.” Legalistic thinking falls short because, when in doubt, the extreme right simply acts illegally. Steinbeis believes it is right to analyze the AfD's program in Saxony-Anhalt and use scenarios to prepare for the party to govern alone. The goal, however, must be that the AfD does not take on any government responsibility, which increases the chance that the party will continue to only produce "empty talk" that will "run out at some point." At the same time, the lawyer warned against only looking at the AfD when it comes to the threats to freedom of expression, freedom of art and science. Steinbeis mentions, for examplethe Hessian initiative , to criminalize the denial of Israel's right to exist. This is “deeply illiberal.” "That's why it's not enough to just talk about the AfD," said the lawyer.”Report by Sebastian Weiermann on June 4th, 2026 in ND online 
  • Joint discussion events – responsibility of science in times of fascist danger
    “Students against the right and a support group of professors invite you to organize discussion events at universities and colleges nationwide that deal with the current danger of fascism and the social responsibility of science. We are encouraged that this approach is generating interest and that several scientists and university institutions have indicated their involvement. We would like to further expand this exchange together.
    The call is expressly aimed not only at students, but also at professors, research assistants, employees at universities and scientists outside the university.
    Under the motto “Science against Fascism – Responsibility of Science in Times of Fascist Danger,” activities will take place nationwide in the week from June 1st to 7th.
    The forms of participation are broad: extracurricular ad-hoc meetings enable a low-threshold exchange between studies, administrative staff and professors on the issue; Seminars that have already been planned take up the topic and open up space for discussions; additional public evening events open up space for broader civil society; Institutes are pausing their regular teaching to create time for in-depth debates. The goal is a common impulse at the federal level that expressly allows different formats and local focuses. Joint press work should carry this impulse far beyond the universities into the public debate…” The call on theAction page “Science against Fascism” (andthe initiative on bsky ) – with over 600 events in around 100 cities 
  • Science takes a stand: Call for the theme week “Science against Fascism”
    “More than 500 scientists have called for a theme week “Science Against Fascism” for the week from June 1st to 7th. The GEW welcomes the initiative and calls for strengthening democracy and academic freedom.
    In 1933, the vast majority of university members not only welcomed German fascism, but had prepared the ideological ground for it years before. Completely different today: More than 500 scientists are calling for a scientific debate at universities on the growing fascist danger for the week from June 1st to 7th, 2026. In numerous lectures, discussion events and workshops, university employees and students deal with attacks on research and teaching and open up space for developing strategies to secure academic freedom. (…) The GEW itself is making the topic “Science under pressure – perspectives of academic freedom” the subject of its next editionScience conference , which will take place in Erfurt from October 1st to 3rd.”Report from GEW dated May 27, 2026 
  • 570 researchers against the shift to the right: All hail interdisciplinary solidarity!
    “The Science Against Fascism Alliance is organizing a week of action against authoritarianism. This is also self-defense before the state elections.
    Large parts of the scientific community are sounding the alarm:Over 570 researchers are in allianceScience against fascism merged. They call on society, but especially their universities and colleagues, to counter the rise of right-wing extremists more decisively. The central demands of the call are that we have to think about the climate crisis and the crisis of democracy together, show solidarity within research and need an anti-fascist economic policy.
    The alliance consciously wants to hold all disciplines accountable: “Responsibility of science in times of fascist danger” is the subtitle of the call. The alliance is organizing oneNationwide action week from June 1st to 7th with now more than 240 events at over 70 university locations, and the trend is rising. The alliance was networked by, among others, the “Students Against the Right,” and entire universities and institutes now also support it. And there are likely to be more: scientists are calling for courses on the topic to be organized nationwide this week. (…)
    Attacks on academic freedom
    The alliance sees particular urgency due to the upcoming state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where the chance of executive power for the extreme right-wing AfD is more likely than ever before. An AfD state governmentcould simply turn off the money supply to science in order, among other things, to de facto abolish unpleasant research fields or student self-organization. (…)
    Universities as places of democratic enlightenment
    A highlight of the week of action should, among other things, be:a hybrid discussion event on the topicality of the controversial concept of fascism. It will take place on June 3rd at the Humboldt University in Berlin. (…) Many scientists agree that doing nothing is also political. Especially if authoritarian politics are normalized even without an AfD government, minorities and diversity need to be protected all the more urgently - especially at universities.”Article by Gareth Joswig from May 28, 2026 in the taz online 
• National science policy. The AfD's election program in Saxony-Anhalt shows plans for the anti-democratic restructuring of universities. How can this be countered?
  “The so-called government program of the AfD Saxony-Anhalt identifies the problems of the German science system with amazing precision: poor basic funding and dependence on third-party funds, precarious working conditions, criticism of the Numerus Clausus and the current Bafög system because it leads to too many students having to work part-time, as well as the demand to reverse the Bologna process. But the program consistently gives the fundamentally wrong answers that would rapidly increase the drastic competition and blatant inequality at universities. The opening and democratization of universities from the 1960s onwards are to be reversed and a concept of science is being advocated that makes one shudder: ethnic, anti-feminist and racist.
  The AfD's 156-page program for the election to the 9th state parliament in Saxony-Anhalt, which will take place on September 6, 2026, is divided into 17 policy areas and deals with science policy in fifth place on just five pages. But these have it all. If you believe the AfD, the decline began "with the '68 revolt." “German science experienced a brief period of prosperity between the end of the war and the mid-1960s.” The “68ers” brought “harmful politicization,” a bloated bureaucracy and “a pseudo-democratic committee system” to the university. It goes on to say: “Later the quota trouble came along.” Climate and Corona policy have shown that “natural science is no longer able to produce ideology-free knowledge.” And last but not least, the social sciences are “up to their necks in a swamp of genderism, postcolonialism and other post-structuralist rhetoric.” According to the AfD, this “state of affairs” should be ended and “German science in Saxony-Anhalt should be restored to its former greatness.”
  Democracy and study conditions
  As an alternative to Bafög, which sets the 'wrong' incentives, the AfD would like to set up a state scholarship that is independent of the parents' income and with constant monitoring that is "based solely on professional performance." In addition, the numerus clausus is to be replaced by a selection process, which is intended to ensure that “of all applicants, those who are best suited for it study a particular subject.” And so that “German science has the freedom again” to “be itself,” the Bologna Process should be reversed. This should lead to “top performance being produced again���. What this would ultimately mean for students is shown not least by the AfD's rejection of gender equality policies: here it is said that men are being specifically discriminated against. These should therefore be replaced by equal rights, but this merely formal equality, in combination with the desired promotion of elites, would only lead to increasing existing inequalities.
  This is particularly evident in the fact that the AfD Saxony-Anhalt wants to abolish the group university with semi-democratic elements, such as co-determination rights for students, mid-level staff and other employees. (…)
  The AfD is also planning something similar with regard to the precarious working conditions at the university: due to the poor pay and fixed-term contracts at the university, it would be primarily the “scientific idealists” and “mediocre people who find no prospects in business” who would aspire to a scientific career. The AfD would like to end this “vicious circle” through permanent contracts, better pay and “higher professional requirements for scientists”: “The best should stay at the university and conduct science there at the highest level.”…”Article from May 27, 2026 in ND online 
• Guideline: Dealing with right-wing hostilities against science
  “The almost 30-page handout “Dealing with right-wing hostilities against science” from the GERDEA research association in cooperation with the Federal Association for Mobile Advice is aimed at universities and researchers who can/could be affected by right-wing or right-wing extremist attacks. The handout describes right-wing hostility not just as “noise,” but attacks on the democratic function of science. They aim to narrow the scope for action and discourse at universities. That is why the guidelines not only focus on individual “perseverance”, but above all on institutional responsibility. The handout is designed as a practice-oriented guide, shows insight into the current advisory practices of universities and follows a concrete 10-point plan. This plan consists of two parts: the first part is all about prevention and the second part shows what can be done if you are affected. Overall, the handout warns against justifying inaction with neutrality. Universities should not sit out right-wing extremist attacks, but should actively protect academic freedom, with clear responsibilities, coordinated communication and support for those affected.”Article by Elena Grunow from April 17, 2026 at Wissenschaftskommunikation.de to the 28-pageGuideline from the GERDEA research association and the Federal Association of Mobile Consulting
• The false longing for the “core” of science
  “The criticism of too much normativity and social engagement in science is doubly wrong. It weakens the quality of research – and benefits those who want to limit science politically.
  THERE ARE COMMENTS, a few half-sentences. Rarely anymore. Maybe because my conversation partners suspect that I have a different opinion. It may also be a real groping, a struggle for attitude and perspective. But what I'm hearing worries me. Because of the content. But also because of those who are talking: university rectors, heads of research institutes, representatives of foundations, decorated scientists. Influential people. Personalities that I appreciate and respect. “Maybe we really overdid it,” says one, “with the diversity, the sustainability and all that.” “We have to be really careful,” says the other, “that we don’t neglect the hard science despite all the good intentions.” And a third warns: “How are we supposed to defend ourselves at some point against right-wing state governments that want to impose their will on science when science policy is already overshadowed by motives that are unrelated to science?” Of course there have always been such statements. But they are increasing in frequency and intensity. (…)
  The Trump ideology not only destroys the foundations of free research and high-performance universities, it feeds the existing hostility to science in part of the population, which in turn encounters a weakened scientific community. Just as the anti-liberal campaign by extremely conservative to right-wing radical ideologues leads to a shift in discourse that suddenly makes commitments to democratic achievements such as minority protection or open borders appear increasingly radical. Also in Germany, as shown by the success of the AfD in surveys and the will-o'-the-wisps of the established parties when it comes to migration or civil rights.
  And it is precisely in this climate that parts of science and their executive suites are beginning to increasingly express their reservations about the supposed political overuse of science. It is not yet an open withdrawal, but rather a quiet adjustment, a distancing from concepts such as diversity or sustainability, a demonstrative insistence on an abstract core of science, whatever that is supposed to contain. (…)
  What is needed now is not a rejection of diversity, transfer or social responsibility - but rather a more decisive defense of them. A more honest debate about how they can be better organized and secured against attacks from the far right. With a view to objective He