COMPARATIVE DYNAMICS OF THE ACADEMIC FREEDOM INDEX IN UKRAINE AND WORLDWIDE

The article is devoted to the study of the state and dynamics of academic freedom worldwide, focusing on both qualitative data and quantitative indicators, as well as its components. Particular attention is given to the use of the Academic Freedom Index (AFI) as a standardised tool for monitoring and evaluating the level of academic freedom. The AFI is calculated based on five key indicators: freedom to research and teach, institutional autonomy, freedom of academic exchange and dissemination, campus integrity, and freedom of academic and cultural expression. The article presents the results of grouping 179 countries by AFI level in 2024, enabling them to be classified according to their degree of freedom: fully free, mostly free, moderately restricted, severely restricted or fully restricted. In order to analyse the state of academic freedom in Ukraine, the results of the "Science at Risk" project were employed. The dynamics of the AFI are analysed at the global and regional levels (Western Europe, North America and Asia) as well as in Ukraine. The AFI enables the identification of specific features and connections with political events and conflicts. Conclusions are drawn regarding the general decline of academic freedom in 34 countries over the past ten years. It is also emphasised that, in 2024, more than half of the world's countries had a high or predominantly high level of academic freedom. The article underlines the necessity for various stakeholders to apply the "Principles for the implementation of the right to academic freedom", recommended by the UN, and to introduce AFI monitoring as tools for advocating the rights of educators and researchers, shaping education policy, managing higher education institutions, and improving their positions in international rankings.