Istanbul Kültür University regards academic freedom as an essential principle of higher education and guarantees both senior and junior academics the freedom to research and to teach. The university’s Open Science Policy (2023) provides an institutional framework that ensures faculty members and researchers can freely express their scientific ideas, choose their research areas independently, and share their findings without any external interference, censorship, or restriction.

This policy is grounded in the principles of transparency, ethics, participation, and open access, ensuring that knowledge produced within the university is shared for the benefit of society. Academics have full freedom to determine their research topics, develop projects, publish their scientific outputs, and communicate their findings publicly. Furthermore, teaching staff have the right to design course content according to their field of expertise and to promote critical thinking within their classrooms.

Through the training programs organized under the Open Science Policy, the university also supports the career development of young researchers while encouraging senior academics to share their knowledge and experience, thereby strengthening academic diversity. Within this framework, Istanbul Kültür University provides all academic staff with a safe and supportive environment that upholds scientific autonomy, freedom of thought, and academic expression.

IKU Open Science Policy: https://www.iku.edu.tr/sites/default/files/inline-files/iku-acik-bilim-politikasi.pdf