Academic freedom is constitutive of the liberal script in so far as it is inherent to individual self-determination and social progress. International and European Law protect academic freedom as a core value, yet freedom of science and the academic profession are increasingly under pressure in many countries all over the world. Where academic freedom is contested, we often also observe rejection of scientific evidence and Expertise, alongside open attacks on (scientific) facts and findings. Why and how is academic freedom contested? Who contests it and how do different contestants and contestations relate to each other? Which arguments are employed? The panel invites contributions from various disciplines.