News

Network announcements, press releases and other updates from Scholars at Risk.

SAR’s October 2026 Newsletter

Scholars at Risk is pleased to share our October 2026 newsletter, which includes: Register for the SAR US General Assembly Early bird registration is now open for SAR Congress! Free to Think 2026 documents attacks on the global higher education

SAR calls on Belarusian authorities to cease targeting EHU students and families

On August 25, 2026, students from the European Humanities University (EHU), Lithuania, reported, upon their return home to Belarus, that they were subject to searches, threats, intimidation, criminal charges, and detentions following Belarus’s crackdown on affiliates of the university. These

SAR accepts EAIE’s Award for Excellence in Internationalisation Award

Scholars at Risk was honored to accept the 2026 EAIE Award for Excellence in Internationalisation on September 8, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland, in recognition of its 25 years of protecting threatened scholars and defending academic freedom worldwide. SAR Executive Director,

“We are on a constant search for the truth. That is what science and research are all about.” Dr. Walter Rosenthal on why Truth Matters at the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK)

This year, SAR celebrates 25 years of a global academic freedom movement strong enough to meet the challenges ahead. In this special series, we are inviting partners from across the network and around the world to share what the 25th

Violent Repression and Government Overreach Fuel Global Decline in Academic Freedom, Free to Think 2026 Report Finds

NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2026—Violent state repression and government interference in university autonomy lead the global decline in academic freedom, according to Scholars at Risk’s (SAR) new Free to Think 2026 report. Documenting 382 attacks on higher education communities in

Translating 25 years of lessons into global impact

This anniversary year, SAR reflects on how lessons from the past 25 years have expanded our ability to ensure threatened academics find safety, rebuild, and thrive. Over the 2025-26 year, SAR leveraged new and existing partnerships to develop new placement

Release U.S. Citizen & Scholar Min Zin

Scholars at Risk sent the below letter to Chinese authorities, urging them to secure the immediate release of Min Zin. Take action by signing a letter here. Via email President Xi Jinping The State Council General Office People’s Republic of

SAR’s September 2026 Newsletter

Scholars at Risk is pleased to share our September 2026 newsletter, which includes: Year in review: Translating 25 years of lessons into global impact for at-risk scholars. Over the 2025-26 year, SAR Protection Services reflect support for 475 scholars and

“They needed everything to suppress these girls who were so fearless” | A supporter spotlight with Dr. Nayereh Tohidi

As part of our anniversary celebration, we are launching a Supporter Spotlight series to highlight the individuals who make up the strength of the Scholars at Risk Network. Nayereh Tohidi was pursuing her PhD in the United States when Ayatollah

Reflections from the EAIE on 25 years of inspiration

To commemorate the SAR network’s 25th anniversary, EAIE President Sara Lopez Selga and Executive Director Mervin Bakker reflect on the organizations’ shared commitment to defending academic freedom and building a global higher education community that stands with scholars under threat.

“That is the moment of maximum inquiry” — Dr. Charles Reeve on why Truth Matters at the Ontario College of Art and Design

Release Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace after sixteen years in prison

Scholars at Risk sent the below letter to Bahraini authorities, urging them to secure the immediate release of Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace. Take action by signing a letter here. Via email The Honorable Dr. Ali Bin Fadhel al-Buainain Attorney General Ministry of

Joint Statement of Concern for US Citizen & Academic Min Zin’s Detention in China

The below letter, signed by over 100 US professors in the US and abroad, expresses grave concern for scholar of political science and US citizen Min Zin, wrongfully detained in China on June 3, 2026 while traveling to an academic

Universities as “guardians of reliable knowledge” — Dr. Angela Ittel and Dr. Magdalena Sut-Lohmann on why Truth Matters at TU Braunschweig

Academia as a tool for building fairness in society – Dhia Al Uyun and Dr. Rafiqa Qurrata A’yun on why Truth Matters at the Indonesian Campus Workers’ Union (SPK)

Violent Repression and Government Overreach Fuel Global Decline in Academic Freedom, Free to Think 2026 Report Finds

Introducing Scholars at Risk

Scholars at Risk is an international network of institutions and individuals whose mission it is to protect scholars and promote academic freedom. Learn more about SAR’s mission and the courageous scholars we are honored to assist in the below video

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