Global Commission Launched to Rebuild Trust in Science and Protect Academic Freedom

Academic institutions are increasingly seen as essential partners in addressing complex health challenges amid social, economic, environmental, technological and political tensions. By conducting independent, evidence‑based research, universities can develop practical solutions that benefit local and global communities. However, a steady erosion of public trust in science, coupled with growing political pressures on higher education, threatens to undermine these contributions and restrict the scope of academic inquiry.

The decline in confidence in scientific findings has led to heightened scrutiny of university research and a surge in calls for tighter oversight, often driven by partisan agendas. Such pressures can compromise research autonomy, limit funding for long‑term studies, and discourage scholars from pursuing controversial or socially relevant topics. If these trends continue, the ability of academia to provide objective, data‑driven guidance on pressing health issues may be significantly weakened, jeopardizing both public welfare and the integrity of scientific progress.