2024

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.31178/AUBD/2024.04

Abstract:Academic freedomfor university faculty and university autonomy together constitute the academic freedoms rooted in the European tradition and represent important democratic values. These two values are distinct, yet they operate in tandem and, under normal circumstances, coexist peacefully, although conflicts between them cannot be ruled out. Since these two values are hierarchically ordered and despite the fact that under Romanian law only university autonomy is expressly enshrined in the Constitution and is classified as a component of the fundamental right to education, European human rights law enshrines academic freedom as a human right, therefore this value must be given priority in the event of a conflict with university autonomy, maintaining a fair balance between the interests at stake.

Keywords: academic freedom , university autonomy, democratic values, human rights