DOI
This paper analyses the increasing threats to university autonomy and academic freedom in Serbia against the backdrop of democratic backsliding and growing authoritarianism. As one of the few remaining autonomous institutions, Serbian universities have become a target of government efforts to strengthen political control. The conflict intensified in late 2024 following proposed higher education reforms and the fatal collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy, which triggered mass student protests demanding accountability, rule of law, and action against systemic corruption.
Supported by professors, universities, and citizens, the student movement evolved into a broad civic mobilisation. In response, the government introduced measures perceived as punitive, including salary cuts, regulatory changes, legal pressures, and police interventions affecting the academic community. The paper argues that these developments represent a serious challenge to university autonomy and academic freedom, while also highlighting the emergence of students and universities as influential actors in Serbia’s struggle for democratic change and institutional accountability.