A conference titled "Truth Matters" was held in the Main Building’s Ceremonial Hall on Monday, May 4. The event was part of a series worldwide celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Scholars at Risk (SAR) network. SAR aims to support academic freedom and protect scholars under threat because of their opinions.
As a member of SAR, the University of Iceland invited three speakers to discuss the situation universities and scholars face, the threats to academic freedom, and universities’ independence. The lectures addressed various aspects of attacks on fundamental human rights, increased government coercion, and information disorder, factors that often accompany attacks on university independence.
Artem Ingmar Benediktsson, PhD in education sciences, served as moderator, and Silja Bára R. Ómarsdóttir, Rector of the University of Iceland, delivered the opening address, where she discussed the work of SAR and the University of Iceland’s membership in the network.
Hulda Þórisdóttir, professor of political science at the University of Iceland, spoke about support for threatened scholars with a moving story she connected to the work of SAR.
Valgerður Pálmadóttir, assistant professor at the Faculty of Education at the University of Akureyri, spoke about human rights and academic freedom in the context of politics and history.
Hafsteinn Einarsson, associate professor of computer science at the University of Iceland, placed these discussions in the context of artificial intelligence, information disorder and the role universities play in these matters.
At the end of the lectures, audience members were encouraged to ask questions, leading to a lively discussion. The conference was livestreamed online and can be watched here.
