Democracy and academic freedom is the theme for the lecture series Research just around the corner in 2026.

At Linköping University, knowledge is something not only to be created and collected but also to be shared. Via this series of lunchtime lectures, the aim with "Research just around the corner" is to disseminate knowledge to the general public, LiU employees and students on a general theme every term. Do you know what is just around the corner at your university?

Everybody is welcome to join us in Lövverket in Studenthuset, Campus Valla. All lectures can also be followed via live stream and viewed online retroactively.

Democracy and Academic Freedom: How Can We Save the World?

In an era dominated by geopolitical conflicts, economic uncertainty, and a pervasive sense of insecurity, one question stands out: What can we do to reverse this trend—and how can we ensure that the solutions are democratic and inclusive?

At Linköping University, we tackle these challenges with courage, innovation, and a clear focus on democracy. Every researcher and research team contributes in concrete, interdisciplinary ways to building a more stable, just, and sustainable world. But what does this look like in practice?

Welcome to a series of open lectures with leading academics and scholars!

Ett landskap med nio personer som står på varsin trave med böcker.

Josefina Syssner

Time and place

  • 29 September, 12.15–13.00
  • Lövverket, Studenthuset, Campus Valla
  • The lecture can also be followed online

Md Fahim Sikder

Adam Briggle 

Time and place

  • 10 November, 12.15–13.00
  • Lövverket, Studenthuset, Campus Valla
  • The lecture can also be followed online

David Livingstone Smith

How Not to Be a Fascist

It is widely accepted that one aim of higher education is to help young people to become thoughtful, responsible citizens. This is important, but there is a vital element that is neglected.  In this lecture David Livingstone Smith argues that to help young people become thoughtful, responsible citizens, we must teach them to recognize the powerful emotional appeal of far-right ideology and propaganda so that they can more effectively resist it.

Time and place

  • 24 November, 12.15–13.00
  • Lövverket, Studenthuset, Campus Valla
  • The lecture can also be followed online

Mariana Gustafsson

Time and place

  • 8 December, 12.15–13.00
  • Lövverket, Studenthuset, Campus Valla
  • The lecture can also be followed online

Previous lectures in 2026

Previous lectures

Recordings of lectures

View previous lectures in the series Research just around the corner. Some of them are in Swedish, and some in English.