Academic freedom has come under fire across the world. Many UACES members, too, face explicit limitations of their research objects, or more subtle pressures leading to self-censorship. This transformation goes alongside different societal and governmental expectations about academia. Space for critique is shrinking, expectations for narrowly defined, relevant scholarship are on the rise.

How do we balance the reinvention of the social utility of research with resistance to democratic decline? What role do institutions including government and funders play in shaping what defines relevant research? How should Europe-based researchers relate to researchers facing challenges in other parts of the world,  from Sudan to Palestine to the United States? This innovative, participatory panel offers space for personal reflections, best practices, and mutual learning. Rather than offering a fixed model, this panel holds space for a direly needed discussion on innovative pedagogy in difficult time.

The plenary will address the complex and often polarising debates around immigration in Europe, focusing particularly on the European Union and the United Kingdom. While there is consensus that immigration is reshaping societies, perspectives diverge sharply on key issues, ranging from the scale and legality of migration to its economic, social, and security implications. These debates are increasingly linked to the rise of populist political movements and growing concerns about the resilience of democratic institutions. With elections taking place across Europe in 2025, this plenary aims to provide a timely and thoughtful exploration of the stakes involved.