The work of HIIG’s Academic Advisory Council is characterised by the multidisciplinary academic credentials of its eleven dedicated members, multidisciplinary not only in terms of their respective research fields but also in terms of their individual cultural backgrounds and experiences as international scholars. From Hong Kong to Berlin, from New York to Utrecht, from Tübingen to Tel Aviv – the council’s network spans the entire earth. It is responsible for advising the research agenda, assuring academic standards and quality, and, in fulfilling this function, it ensures academic freedom and integrity. Since shortly after its founding in 2011, Niva Elkin-Koren has been chair of the Academic Advisory Council at HIIG - an interview by Claudia Haas.