SAR in the Press

The following includes select interviews, articles, and op-eds by or about Scholars at Risk and its network.

Press Release: Cooperation between AUTh and SAR Network for the protection of academics at risk

On the occasion of the International Refugee Day on June 20, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is pleased to announce the recent signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation with the International Network for the Protection of Academics at Risk (Scholars

Universities’ relevance hinges on academic freedom

A piece by Kristen Lyons for the Conversation covering the conditions in which academic freedom can flourish. The latest special issue of Australian Universities’ Review is devoted to Academic Freedom’s Precarious Future. Contributing authors identify how the pressures on universities in Australia

Universities push governments to protect academics in Belarus

An article by Pola Lem in Research Professional News covering the joint statement by SAR, EUA, and ESU calling on Belarusian authorities to protect academic freedom. European University Association says its members are “ready to take students in” with EU

‘Criminalisation’ of Belarus students, academics condemned

A piece by Brendan O’Malley for University World News covering the joint statement by SAR, EUA, and ESU calling on Belarusian authorities to protect academic freedom. The European University Association (EUA), the European Students’ Union (ESU) and Scholars at Risk

Sinead O’Gorman: Academic freedom in a complex world

SAR Europe Director Sinead O’Gorman spoke with the European Association for International Education about the history of Scholars at Risk and its fight for academic freedom. Listen to the episode here.

Researchers fleeing persecution are being supported into skilled posts in industry, writes Peter McGuire

A piece by Peter McGuire for Maynooth University covering Scholars at Risk and the Inspireurope project. The shelling hit Damascus in 2012. Profesor Souad Odeh, a lecturer in information science, knew she had to escape the escalating Syrian civil war.

Defending the Line on Academic Freedom

A piece by SAR Executive Director Robert Quinn for Modern Language Association (MLA) Profession. On 21 November 2018, Daniela Tejada, twenty-seven years old, watched, shocked, in an Abu Dhabi courtroom as her husband, Matthew Hedges, thirty-one years old and a

Academic Self-Censorship Is a ‘Brain Drag’ on Arab Universities and Societies

A piece by SAR Executive Director Robert Quinn for Al-Fanar Media. Have you ever had a question that you refrained from asking, because of what someone might think? Or had an idea that you were afraid to share, because of

What is academic freedom?

A piece by SAR Executive Director Robert Quinn for the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Academic freedom is simple, complex, and essential. It must be protected. Academic freedom is a guarantor of quality. It is the freedom to carry out research,

Hungarian government in spotlight over academic freedom

A piece by Ben Upton for Research Europe covering SAR’s UPR submission on Hungary. Scholars at Risk network calls for international pressure, but government defends policies and motives The international academic freedom network Scholars at Risk has called on the

Researchers at risk need dedicated support

An article co-authored by SAR Europe Programme Manager Orla Duke for Research Europe. Attacks on scholars, students, staff and higher education institutions are occurring with alarming and growing frequency. Last November’s Free to Think 2020 report, published by Scholars at Risk (SAR),

Military occupies Myanmar campuses

A piece by Joyce Lau for Times Higher Education covering SAR’s letter on Myanmar to the United Nations Human Rights Council. Scores of campuses in Myanmar have been occupied by troops, leaving classrooms empty of lecturers and students. The military,

Pitt’s first formal Scholar at Risk reflects on year at Pitt

A piece by Kiera Ledermann for Pitt News covering SAR scholar Hatice Simten Coşar, a Turkish professor. Feminist scholar and professor Hatice Simten Coşar was among more than 1,000 academics who signed a statement in 2016 against military actions taken by

UBC political science students advocate for imprisoned Uyghur academic

A piece by Sydney Cristall for Ubyssey covering SAR Student Advocacy Seminars at the University of British Columbia. As part of a student advocacy seminar, POLI 464F, four UBC political science students are advocating for the release of Dr. Ilham

Arab Region Scores Lowest in the World for Academic Freedom

A piece by Burton Bollag for Al-Fanar Media covering the Academic Freedom Index, developed by SAR and partners. Scholars and students in the Arab region enjoy less academic freedom than their counterparts elsewhere in the world, the second annual Academic Freedom