Who we are
The Network
Scholars at Risk is an international network of higher education institutions and individuals working together to protect scholars and promote academic freedom.
SCHOLARS & PRACTITIONERS
SAR works closely with scholars and practitioners around the world facing a variety of academic freedom and human rights violations. They include professors, researchers, institutional leaders, journalists, writers, and human rights advocates who are threatened due to general conditions of conflict or unrest, or specifically targeted due to the content of their work, their professional status, and/or their exercise of human rights belonging to all persons, especially freedoms of thought, opinion, and expression. SAR-assisted scholars’ research and expertise span across academic disciplines. Learn more about SAR’s Protection services and how to host a scholar or practitioner on campus.
MEMBER INSTITUTIONS
The SAR network comprises 600+ institutions in 45+ countries worldwide, including universities, academic associations, non-governmental organizations, and education unions committed to protecting scholars and promoting academic freedom. SAR membership is open to accredited higher education institutions and educational organizations worldwide. SAR members designate a SAR representative and contribute an annual membership subscription. Members are offered a range of activities for the institution, faculty, staff, and students across three core programmatic areas (protection, advocacy, and learning) and are encouraged to participate as their interest and capacity allows. Member institutions are encouraged, but not required, to consider hosting suitable threatened scholars or practitioners on their campuses when conditions allow.
View SAR’s Membership Directory
Join the Network
SAR SECTIONS
SAR Sections are groups of higher education institutions and associations that are nationally or regionally focused and organized specifically to coordinate participation in SAR activities. Learn more about SAR Sections »
PARTNER NETWORKS
SAR partners with existing higher education networks that engage their membership in SAR programming and support at-risk scholars through their established capacities. See SAR partner networks »
INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Scholars at Risk International Advisory Committee advises the SAR secretariat and board on matters relating to national SAR sections and partner networks. The purpose of the committee is to further embed international perspective into SAR’s structure and governance, and to provide a forum and communication channel for SAR sections, partner networks, SAR staff and board. See the International Advisory Committee »
REGIONAL COALITIONS
Scholars at Risk (SAR) is leading an innovative approach to establish a global confederation of regional coalitions for academic freedom. Toward this goal, and in close cooperation with our network members and partners, Scholars at Risk has helped launch three independent regional coalitions for academic freedom in the Americas, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Each coalition determines its own agenda, often consisting of a range of membership-building, advocacy, and monitoring activities.
SAR supports these coalitions in the development and implementation of their work plan and, through its global network, assists with information and expertise sharing across regions. Building on this momentum, SAR will continue to support the creation of coalitions in new regions to help build a more resilient and coordinated global framework for defending academic freedom. See the regional coalitions »
BOARD & AMBASSADORS COUNCIL
The SAR Board is responsible for the overall policy and direction of the network. Network members are invited to nominate representatives to the board. The board supervises the activities of the network offices and staff and reports on these activities to the network members and affiliates. See the SAR Board & Ambassadors Council »
STAFF
SAR staff are committed to protecting scholars and promoting academic freedom worldwide. Key areas of work include direct assistance, advocacy on behalf of threatened and imprisoned scholars, academic freedom-related research and learning opportunities, and coordination of SAR network membership worldwide. Staff operate out of offices at New York University, USA and Maynooth University, Ireland. See all SAR staff »
SUPPORTERS
Scholars at Risk depends upon the generous support of friends inside and outside higher education communities to sustain our work. Gifts of any size are appreciated, including gifts in honor or memory of others, matching gifts, and legacies. SAR thanks our many generous supporters with special thanks to the Office of the Provost of New York University and the National University of Ireland, Maynooth for hosting SAR offices. See all SAR supporters »