Seminar Series on Democracy and Academic Freedom: Data Rescue in 2025
What happens to democracy and academic freedom when public data disappears? In this seminar, we learn about the Data Rescue Project – an initiative born in response to threats against federal datasets in the U.S. – and explore how communities can safeguard data infrastructures for the future.
Lynda Kellam is a dedicated research-focused librarian with deep academic expertise and a central role in the Data Rescue Project. She is the hub for coordinating, communicating, and mobilizing volunteers and institutional collaborations to ensure access to valuable public data.
When federal statistical offices in the U.S. were dismantled and datasets removed, a coalition of organizations came together. By collaborating across initiatives, they have supported data rescue events and developed tools to safeguard and track threatened data.
This presentation by Lynda Kellam traces the development of the
Data Rescue Project
– from its roots in the broader public data ecosystem to its role today. It also looks ahead, exploring possible paths for future data infrastructure in the U.S. and beyond.
No registration required – just join us on Zoom at the appointed time! Everyone is welcome.
This seminar is in English, and there will also be time for questions.
About the seminar series Democracy and Academic Freedom
Welcome to the seminar series on democracy and academic freedom, a collaboration between KTH’s Faculty Council and KTH Library. During 2025, we will explore how these fundamental values are being challenged worldwide.
Previous seminars
Democracy and Academic Freedom: Impressions from the U.S. – Friday, April 25, 8:00–8:50
Democracy and Academic Freedom: Public Challenges and the Responsibility of Universities – Friday, May 9, 12:10–13:00
Democracy and Academic Freedom: Libraries, Democracy, and Academic Freedom – Wednesday, May 21, 12:10–13:00
Democracy and Academic Freedom: The U.S. University System – Monday, June 2, 12:10–13:00
Why this matters
Academic freedom is a cornerstone of a functioning democracy. Universities are not only tasked with conveying knowledge, but also with fostering critical thinking, questioning established truths, and contributing to an open, fact-based public debate. When this freedom is threatened—by political influence, commercial interests, or self-censorship—not only does research risk losing credibility, but society at large becomes more vulnerable to misinformation and extremism.
We explore questions such as:
How can we defend academic freedom in our own context?
What trends are we seeing in Europe and Sweden?
What is the role of universities in promoting democratic values?
