KU Leuven on hosting scholars
“In 2021, KU Leuven welcomed the first two academics to be hosted by the university through the Scholars at Risk Network. The experience, while at times difficult because of COVID-19, has been rewarding for the scholars and the university. It has made our academic community aware of the many restrictions on academic freedom in the world and has provided opportunities for critical engagement and debate. The scholars participate in academic life, attend workshops and lectures, and bring their own unique perspectives to discussions. Additionally, they lead seminars, give guest lectures and supervise dissertations, thus interacting with students and staff and contributing to the cultural and scientific pluralism of the university. KU Leuven is now in the process of hosting its third threatened scholar and is very much looking forward to a long and fruitful collaboration with Scholars at Risk in order to support academic freedom worldwide.” Nynke Salverda Read the piece for KU Leuven’s full reflection on the hosting experience, and how a centralized funding mechanism guarantees the placement of two academics-at-risk per year. Join SAR's efforts and make a gift today
Together with partner organizations, SAR is diligently working to support our colleagues from Ukraine and the region. Your contribution to SAR’s Ukraine Emergency Fund will help SAR as we provide essential assistance and resources to scholars and their families. Make a gift today and join SAR's efforts in responding to this urgent need for help. |
In response to an unprecedented number of appeals from scholars seeking support, the SAR Network has created 85 academic positions so far this year, 35 of these for Afghan scholars. In a hopeful sign that prohibitive visa and travel restrictions may be loosening, 10 Afghan scholars have reached their hosts in Canada, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland and the United States, including Dr. Aziz Mohibbi, the former chancellor of Bamyan University in Afghanistan, who describes his journey with his family to Ireland in last month’s 
SAR Europe introduces new website
A life-saving partnership: UConn & SAR
A journalist and activist, Marvi Sirmed faces threats of violence in her home country of Pakistan, but has found safety and academic freedom through UConn’s unique and longstanding partnership with the Scholars at Risk Network. She is supported through SAR’s Practitioners at Risk Program.
In 1991 in Pakistan, there was a surge of women being burned. A stove would burst, the official report would say – a terrible accident – and only the young bride of the family would be injured or, more often, killed. “It was very intriguing for me,” says Marvi Sirmed, a journalist and activist who was one of the rare young women working at a newspaper in Pakistan at the time.
The stories of the burned women were far from the last time Sirmed would face opposition, controversy, harassment, personal attacks, and outright violence for the stories she wanted to tell and the light she aimed to shine on some of the darkest corners of Pakistani life and governance. Jaclyn Severance reports, for UConn Today.
News & Events |
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Ukraine: Reflections from Home and Abroad — a virtual conversation with Liz Shchepetylnykova and Olena Tanchyk | April 13, 2022Roger Williams University, in association with Scholars at Risk, is hosting a virtual conversation with two Ukrainian scholars who will share their experiences of living in Ukraine, and of escaping their homeland in the moments leading up to the war. In conversation, both will offer their insights, as well as look forward to how members of the Higher Education community can help support colleagues and fellow students affected by the war. This event is free and open to the public. |
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Higher Education Response to Refugee and Displaced Students and Scholars: Towards a Durable Solution | April 22, 2022Join Rutgers University for a virtual panel discussion to explore lessons learned from the Afghan and Ukrainian conflicts (and other large scale refugee “events”), and to discuss how institutions of higher education might develop capacity and resources to enable them to respond appropriately and with agility to future crises. Rutgers Global hosts, with panelists from IIE, Afghan Future Fund, UNHCR, ACE, APLU, Presidents’ Alliance, US federal agencies, SAR, and US university partners. Attend on Friday, April 22, 2002 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM EST. |
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SAR hosts consultative drop-in hours for Network members | April 14, 21, 28, 2022To share hosting experiences, best practices, and information, we are piloting a series of “consultative drop-in hours” during the month of April. Group or one-on-one conversations are intended to assist and explore the wide range of hosting models and opportunities across the SAR Network. Forthcoming sessions on April 14, 24, and 28 are limited to SAR members and staff. Please contact us for details. |
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Inspireurope Philipp Schwartz Initiative Forum, Berlin, May 10-11, 2022Jointly convened by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s Philipp Schwartz Initiative and the Inspireurope project, the 2022 Forum will bring together up to 350 scholars, academic mentors, and representatives of host institution and partner organizations across Europe to discuss topics related to the protection of academic freedom and the support of at-risk academics. Preliminary program is available here. Learn more » |
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LIBERTAS. Spaces and practices of academic freedom, June 22-24, 2022To celebrate eight centuries of commitment to the protection and promotion of academic freedom and to revive such commitment the University of Padova, in collaboration with Scholars at Risk Italy and Scholars at Risk Europe, is organising an international conference to discuss LIBERTAS. Spaces and practices of academic freedom. Learn More » |
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