Scholars at Risk

Missed last week’s webinar with SAR and KTH Royal Institute of Technology? A recording of their conversation on and the worrying attacks on and democracy can be watched here:

Free to Think 2025 – Seminar series Democracy and Academic Freedom | KTH Free to Think is Scholars at Risk’s annual report on threats to academic freedom. This seminar presents the key findings from the 2025 edition, recent global trends in attacks on higher education, and the crucial connections between academic freed...

The recent drone strikes on Kordofan University in has led to the destruction of infrastructure, the displacement and killings of students, and has been condemned as a “direct assault on science, knowledge and the students’ right to pursue safe and stable education.” Read more about the educational and humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan from World News here:

Condemnation as universities in Darfur come under attack Sudan’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has condemned the drone strikes on Kordofan University in El-Obeid, the capital of Nort...

Following the outbreak of military conflict in , staff from Evin Prison have reportedly fled. At Evin Prison—where scholar Dr. Ahmadreza Djalai has been held since 2016—food distribution, basic services, and all contact with his wife have ceased. The abandonment and total disregard for the wellbeing of Dr. Djalali is deeply disturbing. The Swedish government must act to help and ensure wrongfully detained scholars like him are not forgotten amidst the political chaos in . Learn more:
https://www.tv4.se/artikel/44AB8a6QQtMC1DRmABONEs/rapporter-om-kaos-i-faengelser-djalalis-fru-mycket-orolig

now: https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/action/scholars-in-prison-project/

Rapporter om kaos i Evinfängelset – Djalalis situation oklar Evinfängelset uppges ha kollapsat. Vida Djalali saknar besked om hennes man Ahmadreza Djalali. Det finns oro för matbrist och kaos, enligt TT.

A new feature from the University of Ottawa highlights its decade-long commitment to hosting and supporting scholars through the Scholars at Risk (SAR) network. By providing safe academic placements, uOttawa is helping defend academic freedom and strengthen democracy.

Learn more about the impact of the SAR uOttawa Program: https://ow.ly/fj0N50YoG5y

Scholars at Risk program places uOttawa on the front lines of academic freedom | University of Ottawa Scholars whose work challenges repressive regimes or who push to express themselves freely risk sanctions, surveillance and expulsion. Their work may be censored, their equipment seized and travel restricted. Some are imprisoned or exiled, even killed.Pressure on academic freedom isn’t limited to ...

To mark SAR's 25th anniversary year, member institution Royal Society Te Apārangi convened a panel of expert speakers from the International Science Council's Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science (CFRS) to discuss "...declining trust in institutions around the world and human rights related to science."

The conversation examined the intersection of human rights and science, exploring the Committee’s work to progress equity and academic freedom for women and environmental scientists, as well as advocacy in times of war and political disruption.

Learn more and view the panel recordings: https://council.science/blog/scientific-freedom-as-a-human-right/

Many thanks to our colleagues in Aotearoa New Zealand!

Scientific freedom as a human right: Insights from the dedicated ISC meeting in Aotearoa New Zealand - International Science Council As the world marks International Human Rights Day, the International Science Council (ISC) underscores that scientific freedom and the right to participate in and benefit from science are core human rights.

🗓️ Join SAR on March 5 at 1 pm EST for a webinar to discuss SAR's recently published 2025 Scholar Survey results!

The discussion will feature key highlights and insights, and explore how to apply scholar important recommendations. We look forward to having further conversations with scholars, practitioners, and the wider network in order to further strengthen the work we do.

Register here:

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Scholars at Risk: 2025 Scholar Survey Discussion. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Scholars at Risk is pleased to share our 2025 Scholar Survey report, detailing the reflections from over 300 scholars and practitioners on their experiences working with the SAR network! The report illuminates the value of SAR’s work in creating academic opportunities of refuge, while also underli...