Perspective on Scientific Freedom in Namibia

There is a growing interest globally on the need to understand the current state of scientific freedom (Guidotti, 2018). Most Global North studies have focused on scientific freedom and human rights. Attempts have been made to unpack the nexus between the rights and the responsibilities associated with scientific inquiry. For instance, the Principle of Freedom and Responsibility in Science, as espoused by the International Science Council, sets out the freedoms that scientists ought to enjoy, balanced by their obligation to engage in responsible scientific practice and behaviour (International Science Council, 2020). As Tee L. Guidotti aptly captures it, ‘issues of who benefits, who is allowed to contribute to science, who has a say in how science is governed, and how science is admitted into society and culture’ (2018, p. 1) have become topical in policy and intellectual spaces. Scientific freedom encapsulates the right to participate in science, the right to benefit from science and the right to benefit from a person’s contribution or invention. It also deals with the freedom to think, calculate, write, speak, and publish without undue political, economic, and ideological interference (Green, 1979; Coggon, 2012). It is poignant to note that scientific freedom is a relatively new concept in the Global South. In Africa, academic freedom is often given precedence over scientific freedom (Appiagyei-Atua et al., 2016, p. 87). As pointed out in other chapters, academic freedom and scientific freedom are treated in this country report as closely associated and highly overlapping. Academic freedom encompasses both the freedom of teaching and freedom of research. It is explicitly protected and guaranteed in the constitutions of many African countries, including Namibia.The founding statutes of most universities also promote academic freedom, but do not explicitly mention the concept of scientific freedom. As a result, little is known about the current state of scientific freedom in Namibia. To fill this research gap, this study assesses the extent to which scientific freedom is entrenched in the existing Namibian legal and policy frameworks. It examines whether the environment for scientific practice is enabling or restrictive. It describes key institutions and their roles. It explores academics and researchers’ perceptions of scientific freedom in Namibia. And it proffers actionable recommendations. This study was conducted in line with the UNESCO 2017 Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers (RS|SR) in the context of the project Strengthening STI Systems for Sustainable Development in Africa.