The state of academic freedom in war-affected public universities in Ethiopia

This study explores the state of academic freedom in war-affected public universities in Ethiopia. It employed a case study involving individual interviews and document reviews as a method, and academic autonomy as the theoretical framework. The results showed a significant decline in academic freedom and institutional autonomy in war-affected public universities in Ethiopia. This is largely attributed to state interference, the persistent civil war, and widespread corruption. The authoritarian political landscape in Ethiopia exacerbates academic freedom, as academic institutions are pressured to align with prevailing political views, undermining their independence for critical enquiry and innovation. War-affected public universities faced campus militarisation, deliberate destruction of infrastructure, limited access to resources, and restricted freedom of movement for faculty and students. These conditions have led to brain drain, as scholars seek safer environments abroad. Additionally, the widespread corruption and lack of accountability affect academic freedom by fostering opaque administrative practices and undermining trust and scholarly integrity. This study contributes to our understanding of how civil war, state intervention, and corruption impinge on academic freedom. It recommends the need for a comprehensive policy framework and stakeholder collaboration to protect academic freedom and institutional autonomy in war-affected public universities in Ethiopia.