How do academic freedom and neutrality go together? David Beaver from the University of Texas, Austin, explored this question at the reception of the Styrian University Conference. Over 150 participants gathered in the auditorium of the University of Graz on March 11, 2026. The university orchestra provided musical accompaniment for the evening.
Rector Peter Riedler, the current chair of the University Conference, emphasized the importance of cooperation between universities in southern Austria before the lecture. “Styria and Carinthia are more closely linked today than ever before. And in these challenging times, it is the universities that strengthen the region's innovative power with their teaching and research, making us more resilient to crises.”
“Our universities make a key contribution to our province being one of the most innovative regions in Europe in many areas,” says Willibald Ehrenhöfer, Styrian Provincial Councilor for Economy, Labor, Finance, Science, and Research. “In order to continue on this path of success, we need an open society and free science, free of boundaries. Because with basic research, we are laying the foundation for the economy of tomorrow, and with applied research, we are securing the prosperity of tomorrow.”
Many collaborations
Andrea Seel, Rector of the Augustinum Private University of Education, highlighted the significance of the collaboration within the Styrian University Conference in figures: “The five universities, two universities of applied sciences, and two universities of education represent more than 60,000 students in around 500 degree programs. 15,000 employees find their professional home here.”
Close cooperation and coordinated further development have enabled projects that benefit everyone. “There are intensive teaching and research collaborations, joint studies, media collaborations, and coordination in the area of crisis and emergency management,” Seel explains. She is particularly proud of projects with a broad impact, such as the Science Garden, the Children's University, and Earth Talks, in which current social issues are openly discussed.
The keynote speaker for the evening, David Beaver from the University of Texas at Austin, addressed a question much discussed among scientists: the conflict between the desire for neutrality and objectivity on the one hand and scientific freedom on the other. "When we talk about neutrality, we often think that there are certain irrefutable facts. But we ourselves are not always completely objective and try to present facts as neutral through language.“ Beaver sees this as a dangerous development. ”Nobel Peace Prize winner Eli Wiesel reminds us that neutrality always helps the oppressor, not the victims. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." Based 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, the argument goes, is a dangerous tool of indoctrination.”
Clear values
Beaver sees this fallacy as a threat to academic freedom. “I want researchers who see their work as neutral to think about what that really means.” Beaver also has a suggestion for public representatives of universities: "I also don't believe that universities should defend themselves in critical discourse with the argument of scientific neutrality. They should have the courage to stand by a clear value system and proclaim it loudly."
FH Joanneum Rector Corinna Engelhardt-Nowitzki also addressed the topic of language in her closing remarks. “Language is a tool that connects us. It is the basis of every discourse and helps us as representatives of universities in three important areas that connect us: our openness, our social relevance, and the visibility of what distinguishes our institutions.”
During the buffet that followed, the numerous representatives from politics, science, and business had the opportunity to exchange ideas. Not only was there an opportunity to engage in stimulating conversations with the speakers, but the attendees also 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 Councilor Robert Krotzer, Leoben Mayor Kurt Wallner, Herbert Beiglböck, Chairman of the University Council of the University of Graz, Styrian Provincial Councilor for Transport, Provincial Building 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, TU University Council and Head of R&D at AVL List, Alfred Heinzl, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Heinzl Group, and many more.
Pictures from the event >>Click here