Universities as Resistance – Timely Conference Brought Together Researchers, Students, and Activists

How can universities serve as arenas for solidarity, social justice, and resistance? This was the central question at SAIH’s 2025 conference, which brought together students, academics, and activists from around the world for a timely and engaging conversation.

Amid a time marked by global crises and increased pressure on academic freedom, there was still space for hope and inspiration. Through powerful speeches and discussions, participants explored how higher education can be a driving force for social change.

Key themes included:

• The interplay between academia and activism
• Universities as arenas for solidarity
• How to strengthen international solidarity in Norwegian higher education

Among the contributors were Omar Barghouti, Nadine Naber, Paul Gready, Srila Roy, Karl Tristan Butalid, Sindisa Monakali, Enes Hocaoğulları, Maryam Taher, Alejandro Mantilla, Peris Jones, Karen-Lise Knudsen, Eva Maria Fjellheim, Hege Bae Nyholt, Jihad Ammar Al-Mahdi, Jorunn Norgård, Åse Gornitzka, and Kaja Ingdal Hovdenak – all of whom offered insightful perspectives and inspiring input.

A big thank you to the University of Oslo for the excellent collaboration, and to the Norwegian Student Organization, Fritt Ord, and Norad for their support.

A recording of the full conference is now available here: