Law and Humanities Workshop 2026 - Visions of democracy in art and Literature

The last decade has been characterised by significant debate surrounding the importance – and limits - of freedom of expression in democratic systems. At the same time, recent years have made clear the importance –and the limits – of freedom of expression in democratic systems. The fundamental value of the right - both to individual citizens and to the resilience of the broader democratic project has rarely been more obvious – or more vulnerable. Legal restrictions on political protest, de-platforming and prosecution of members of the political and creative communities for speech acts, and online censorship of speech all force us to confront what it means to protect freedom of expression, the role that both artists and lawyers play in advancing and securing that right, and how it buttresses democracy. This year’s Law and Humanities roundtable brings together participants from European and beyond to reflect on the role of artists and the creative industries in fostering (and maintaining) vibrant democracies.