On how the norms arising from the provisions of Poland’s Constitution on the freedom of scientific research and the publication of its results, and on the autonomy of higher education institutions, compare with the legal provisions currently in force, in particular those of the Act of 20 July 2018 – the Higher Education and Science Law.

The author of the article is aimed at reconstructing the concept of academic freedom as a base of university existence, regarding both its didactic and research function. The author takes into account various definitions of academic freedom and analyzes areas and dimensions, especially its institutional (university) and individual (professor) level. He reconstructs also controversies which are exposed in discussions on academic freedom and arguments regarding its limitations. He considers the phenomenon of actuarial policy and various forms of academic competition. He puts question: does the concept of academic freedom can be still vivid in the time of growing commercialization of didactits and research functions of contemporary university as well as its growing dependance on economy and politics?

In response to a legislative initiative of the Minister of Education and Science to regulate academic freedom, the Committee of Ethics in Science of the Polish Academy of Sciences states that the initiative does not identify a problem with freedom of expression of worldview, religious or philosophical convictions but produces it. The initiative does not distinguish between the methodological demands of science that apply to individuals as researchers and the freedom of expression enjoyed by citizens. It encourages legitimization of non-scientific and anti-scientific claims within academic debate. In consequence, implementation of the proposed regulation will have a negative impact on the quality of scientific research and public debate in Poland.

The article presents results of a survey of attitudes toward experts’ recommendations in fighting COVID-19 pandemic, scientists and science in general, and academic freedom in Poland, and discusses them in the context of the on-going pandemic as well as local developments in Poland. The global crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic highlighted the subtle, yet vital social role played by science, which in normal circumstances does not present itself that vividly. This, paradoxically, comes at a time, when the status of science and scientific freedom is disputed in the Polish public debate. The internet survey was conducted by the Institute of Political Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences in April 2021 on a sample of Poles aged 18–65.