Why Academic Freedom Matters
Li Bennich-Björkman |
TEDxUniversityofLuxembourg
• October 2018
"Can external incentives such as money, promotion or evaluations drive scientists to be more creative? The answer is no. Internal motivation, to work on puzzles chosen out of curiosity, is the secret. Academic freedom, not command or control, therefore becomes the only way to nurture scientific creativity."
She is a pioneer in many ways. In 2007, she became the first woman professor at the Department of Government at Uppsala University. The following year, she was the first woman appointed Skyttean Professor of Eloquence and Government, with an official residence in the 18th century building called Skytteanum. Ms Bennich Björkman is an untiring defender of academic freedom and long-term research projects.