The cancellation on November 17, 2025, of the planned lecture “The Targeting of the Palestinian Academia” (November 28, 2025) by the university administration of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) is a serious encroachment on the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of science. This cancellation is not only a setback for academic discourse on Palestinian scholarship in the context of Israel’s gross violations of international law, but also raises fundamental questions about academic freedom, institutional racism, and the university’s self-image as a

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Universities have a duty to engage in scientific debate on controversial, sensitive, and politically charged issues. Scientific debates on conflicts or human rights situations must take place precisely when social tensions are high. We are observing with growing concern attempts by political and state actors to influence scientific debates through predefined terms and assessments, to defame researchers, and to criminalize them on this basis. Statements are published in their original language without translation. To view the statement in German, please

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Showcasing Research Through Images Your research could shape the new look of the DAVO website! We are excited to invite all DAVO members to share the visual side of their research in our first Research Photo Competition. The ten winning photos will become banner images across the DAVO website – featured on pages such as Home, About Us, Working Groups, CAF, and DAVO Congress. In addition, the top five entries will each receive a €50 book voucher. Research is not

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