2026 US General Assembly | Scholars at Risk

Truth Matters: Defending Scholars & Academic Freedom in Challenging Times

2026 Scholars at Risk US General Assembly
November 12–14, 2026 | Ida Noyes Hall, University of Chicago

Join Scholars at Risk, the SAR US Section, the University of Chicago’s Pozen Family Center for Human Rights, and The College of Wooster for the 3rd SAR US General Assembly.

Register for the US General Assembly, Nov. 12-14 

Scholars, higher education leaders, students, and partners will share practical ways to support threatened scholars and defend academic freedom in the United States and around the world. The gathering also marks SAR’s 25th anniversary and its return to the University of Chicago, where the network began.

The program will explore legal protections, campus responses, association advocacy, regional collaboration, and opportunities to engage with SAR’s work. On Thursday evening, a public conversation, “Academic Freedom in the Era of Trump: The US and Beyond,” will feature SAR Executive Director Rob Quinn with University of Chicago professors Geoffrey Stone and Tom Ginsburg. The talk is open to the public.

Registration 

Registration $100 (SAR members) or $125 (non-members). Registration includes Thursday reception, Friday breakfast, lunch, and reception/dinner, plus Saturday breakfast and a light lunch.

Participants will hear from threatened scholars, higher education leaders, academic associations, students, and SAR staff. Sessions will address legal and human rights approaches to academic freedom, campus strategies, association advocacy, regional collaboration, and deeper engagement with SAR’s protection, advocacy, and learning work.

Event speakers and student attendees, please reach out to Reed Couvillon at rc6175@nyu.edu to register.

Pre-General Assembly Workshop

Prevention, Preparedness, and Response to Academic Freedom Violations and Attacks on Scholars
Thursday, November 12 | 12:00–5:00 p.m. | Lunch provided

This interactive workshop will offer practical strategies for digital safety, responding to harassment, teaching sensitive topics, and supporting targeted scholars. It is included with General Assembly registration, but space is limited. Select the workshop when completing the registration form.

Explore the workshop program and speakers

Hotel Accommodations

Valet parking is available at the hotel, The Study at the University of Chicago , for $49 per day. A public parking garage directly behind the hotel offers parking for $29 per day. The hotel is located directly across the street from the meeting venue, Ida Noyes Hall.

Questions

Please direct any questions about the SAR U.S. General Assembly to Reed Couvillon at rc6175@nyu.edu.