University Welcome 2026: Academia between Freedom and Neutrality
How neutral must research be? At the Styrian University Conference at the University of Graz, keynote speaker David Beaver questioned the concept of objectivity. He called for a bold academic community that stands by its values in order to remain resilient in times of crisis and actively shape social progress.
How do academic freedom and a neutral stance fit together? David Beaver from the University of Texas, Austin, explored this question in depth during the reception of the Styrian Higher Education Conference. Over 150 participants gathered for the event on 11 March 2026 in the auditorium of the University of Graz. The University Orchestra provided musical accompaniment for the evening. Rector Peter Riedler, the current chair of the University Conference, emphasised the importance of cooperation between southern Austrian universities before the lecture. “Styria and Carinthia are now more closely linked than ever before. And in these challenging times, it is the universities that, through their teaching and research, strengthen the region’s innovative capacity and thus make us more resilient in the face of crises.” “Our universities make a key contribution to ensuring that our province ranks among the most innovative regions in Europe in many areas,” says Willibald Ehrenhöfer, Styrian Provincial Councillor for Economic Affairs, Labour, Finance, Science and Research. “To continue on this path to success, we need an open society and free science, free from boundaries. For with basic research we lay the foundations for the economy of the day after tomorrow, and with applied research we secure the prosperity of tomorrow.” Andrea Seel, Rector of the Augustinum Private University of Education, highlighted what cooperation within the Styrian University Conference means in figures: “The five universities, two universities of applied sciences and two universities of education represent more than 60,000 students across around 500 degree programmes. 15,000 employees find their professional home here.” Close collaboration and coordinated development have enabled projects from which everyone benefits. “There are intensive teaching and research partnerships, joint degree programmes, media collaborations and coordination in the field of crisis and emergency management,” explains Seel. She is particularly proud of projects with a broad impact, such as the Science Garden, the Children’s University and the Earth Talks, where current social issues are openly discussed.
The evening’s keynote speaker, David Beaver from the University of Texas at Austin, addressed a question much debated amongst scientists: the conflict between the desire for neutrality and objectivity on the one hand, and academic freedom on the other. “When we talk about neutrality, we often think that there are certain irrefutable facts. Yet we ourselves are not always entirely objective and try to present facts as neutral through language.” Beaver sees this as a dangerous development. “Nobel Peace Prize laureate Eli Wiesel reminds us that neutrality always helps the oppressor, not the victims. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” Drawing on this, Beaver warns that in today’s discourse, neutrality and calm are often seen as the antithesis of extremism. Beaver considers this dangerous: “If the language of those in power is neutral, then the language of those who question the assumptions of those in power must be extremist. Extremist language, so the argument goes, is a dangerous instrument of indoctrination.” Beaver sees this fallacy as a threat to academic freedom. “I would like researchers who view their work as neutral to reflect on what that really means.” Beaver also offers a suggestion to the public representatives of universities: “Nor do I believe that universities should defend themselves in critical discourse by invoking the argument of academic neutrality. One should have the courage to stand by a clear system of values and to proclaim this loudly.”
In her closing remarks, FH-Joanneum Rector Corinna Engelhardt-Nowitzki also addressed the topic of language. “Language is a tool that connects us. It forms the basis of every discourse and helps us, as representatives of higher education institutions, with three key aspects that unite us: our openness, our social relevance, and the visibility of what distinguishes our institutions.”
During the buffet that followed, the numerous representatives from politics, academia and business were able to exchange views with one another. There was not only the opportunity to engage in stimulating conversations with the speakers, as the attendees included numerous representatives from academia and politics, such as Peter Granig, Rector of Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, Ada Pellert, Rector of Alpen-Adria University Klagenfurt, Martin Payer, Managing Director of FH Joanneum, Kristina Edlinger-Ploder, Rector of FH Campus02, Georg Schulz, Rector of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, Andrea Kurz, Rector of the Medical University of Graz, Peter Moser, Rector of the Montanuniversität Leoben, Beatrix Karl, Rector of the University of Education Styria, Graz City Councillor Robert Krotzer, the Mayor of Leoben Kurt Wallner, Herbert Beiglböck, Chair of the University Council of the University of Graz, the Styrian Provincial Councillor for Transport, Provincial Construction, Rural Road Construction and Technology, Claudia Holzer, and guests from the business community such as Chamber of Commerce Director Karl-Heinz Dernoschiek, Kleine-Zeitung Managing Director Xenia Daum, Martin Schaller, CEO of Raiffeisenlandesbank Steiermark, Georg List, member of the TU University Council and Head of R&D at AVL List, or Alfred Heinzl, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Heinzl Group, and many more.
Text credit: University of Graz