USGA Workshop: Prevention, Preparedness, and Response to Academic Freedom Violations and Attacks on Scholars

Thursday, Nov 12 2026 12:00 pm

Prevention, Preparedness, and Response to Academic Freedom Violations and Attacks on Scholars

Pre-General Assembly Workshop
Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 12:00–5:00 p.m.
Ida Noyes Hall, University of Chicago | Lunch provided

Faculty, staff, and administrators increasingly face questions about how to prepare for threats to academic freedom and how to respond when a colleague or campus community is targeted. This interactive workshop will offer practical strategies for protecting scholars and supporting their work.

Through presentations and focused small group discussions, participants will explore how to:

  • Assess personal online risks and improve digital safety
  • Respond to online harassment, doxing, and attempts to censor academic work
  • Navigate politically sensitive topics in the classroom
  • Advocate for institutional protocols that support publicly targeted faculty
  • Understand their legal rights when they are targeted by an employer

Participants will have opportunities to share experiences, learn from approaches used at other institutions, and identify steps they can adapt for their own campuses.

Presenters

Registration

The workshop is included with registration for the 2026 Scholars at Risk US General Assembly. Space is limited, and advance registration for the workshop is required when signing up for the USGA. Lunch will be provided.

If you are unable to attend the US General Assembly, but would like to attend the workshop, please reach out to Reed Couvillon (rc6175@nyu.edu).

Register for the General Assembly and workshop

View the full General Assembly program

For questions, contact Reed Couvillon at rc6175@nyu.edu.