Video: Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science - Auckland
On Monday 8 December 2025, guest speakers from the International Science Council’s (ISC) Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science discussed their work to counter threats to the integrity of science from around the world.
Our Auckland panellists:
Roberta D’Alessandro is Chair of Linguistics, Utrecht University, Netherlands with an interest in EU policy and patterns of declining academic freedom.
Robert French is the former Chief Justice of Australia and former Chancellor of the University of Western Australia.
Matthias Kaiser is Professor Emeritus Center for the Study of the Sciences and Humanities, University of Bergen, Norway and an expert in science ethics.
Krushil Watene, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Auckland, weaves together the relationship between science and Indigenous knowledge systems, particularly mātauranga Māori.
The event was moderated by senior journalist, Simon Wilson.
In this thought-provoking conversation, the panel discusses declining scientific and academic freedoms worldwide as anti-science ideology becomes embedded in many of the world’s governments, and human rights related to science.
They note the importance of the humanities, social sciences, philosophy and other knowledge systems to the natural sciences, and how threats to these could signal a decline in academic freedom, even in moderate regimes.
Providing global context to the discussion of science as a public good, the panel offer reasons for optimism through scientific literacy, engagement, and community involvement to share the benefits of science for all.
The Auckland event (one of two) marked the Committee’s first visit to Aotearoa New Zealand, and ten years of support by the Society in hosting an MBIE-funded Special Advisor to the Committee.
Read more about the Society’s endorsement of the ISC’s interpretation of the right to science.
Learn more about the International Science Council and the Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science.
This event was filmed at the Auckland Art Gallery Auditorium, 8 December 2025.