SAR Switzerland

The SAR Swiss Section (SAR Switzerland) promotes the values, mission and activities of Scholars at Risk by hosting scholars at threat, sharing information on good practice and initiating joint activities. Scholars looking for a placement at a higher education institution in Switzerland through the services of Scholars at Risk are advised to consult this information for prospective SAR scholars in Switzerland.

SAR Switzerland comprises 24 member institutions. The Assembly is the highest authority, supported by a Steering Committee with Roger Pfister as Chair (Head of International Cooperation, Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences), Annie Cottier (University of Bern), Sara Elmer (University of Zurich), Luna Iacopini (University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland HES-SO) and Catrin Scheiber (University of Lucerne).

For more information: Terms of Reference, Flyer of SAR Switzerland

News

Researchers at Risk: National-level actions in Europe

September 27, 2021

This InspirEurope project report aims to share knowledge and insights between those already involved in these efforts, and to encourage the development of new national-level initiatives where these do not yet exist.

Help from Switzerland for scientists from Afghanistan

August 19, 2021

Events in Afghanistan are prompting fears of dramatic consequences, including for scientists in this country. SAR Switzerland and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) are committed to help them to the extent possible.

Welcome to SAR scholar from Turkey at the University of Bern

May 17, 2021

Since April 2021, Emirhan Darcan is a SAR scholar at the Institute for Penal Law and Criminology at the University of Bern. With a PhD from Rutgers University, he has theoretical and hands-on experience in security, crime analysis and international security cooperation. He has worked with security professionals, sociologists, politicians and liaison officers to do fieldwork in various security-related topics, policy analyses on legal aspects of governments’ counterterrorism practices as well as political risk analysis.

Report "Free universities: putting the academic freedom index into action"

March 12, 2021

New threats to academic freedom globally have emerged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to physically distanced teaching, learning and examinations and virtual offerings or remote collaborations online, according to just-published global data and analysis.

Members

Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences

University of Fribourg

University of Geneva

University of Lausanne

University of Lucerne

University of Neuchâtel

University of St.Gallen

Università della Svizzera italiana

University of Zurich

Franklin University Switzerland

Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH

University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland HES-SO

Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW

Zurich University of the Arts ZHdK

Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training EHB / SFUVET

University of Teacher Education Lucerne PH Lucerne

Thurgau University of Teacher Education PHTG

Zurich University of Teacher Education PHZH

Testimonials of SAR scholars

Higher education institutions in Switzerland so far hosted 11 SAR scholars from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Serbia, Syria and Turkey.

Several of these scholars share their experiences here.

SAR Sections are groups of higher education institutions and associations, that are members of the SAR network, nationally or regionally focused and organized specifically to coordinate participation in SAR activities. Unless otherwise indicated, the views represented by a SAR section, its members, or its affiliates reflect those of the originating author or section, and do not necessarily represent the views of SAR, other SAR sections, individual members, affiliates, board, staff, or sponsors. The use of the SAR name, logo, or other identifying material is for the sole purpose of identifying the relationship of the section, its members, or its affiliates with SAR, subject to approval of such use by the SAR board, as provided in the SAR bylaws.