SAR in the Press

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

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

SAR Executive Director Robert Quinn speaks to ABC Radio

SAR Executive Director Robert Quinn spoke with ABC Radio about the history of Scholars at Risk and the Academic Freedom Index, an assessment of the level of academic freedom in 175 territories. Listen to the episode here.

New threats to academic freedom emerge from pandemic

A piece by Brendan O’Malley for University World News covering the Academic Freedom Index, developed by SAR and partners. New threats to academic freedom globally have emerged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to physically distanced

Why university rankings must include academic freedom

A piece co-authored by SAR Executive Director Robert Quinn for University World News. Imagine you are a first-year student starting at one of the world’s top universities. Picture the lecture hall – as it was before the pandemic shifted classes

Biden promises truth after Trump’s lies. How to hold leaders accountable for their words.

A piece by SAR Executive Director Robert Quinn for NBC THINK. President Joe Biden couldn’t have been clearer. At the dawn of his administration, he began with an unequivocal declaration about the fundamental importance truth plays in our democracy —

Turkish historian expelled from university for his views, accused of terrorism

A piece by Ada Chojnowska for wyborcza.pl covering SAR scholar Candan Badem, a Turkish historian. Ada Chojnowska: Can a scientist or historian be political? Prof. Candan Badem: – Surely it can be political in a sense not to please the Turkish

All hands on deck: delivering academic freedom for Europe

A piece by SAR Europe Director Sinead O’Gorman for European University Association. Academic freedom is in the news. Recent declarations, resolutions, and communiqués on academic freedom by the European Research Area, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (CoE), and the European Higher Education