The European Students’ Union joins the Scholars at Risk Network

The European Students’ Union (ESU) has joined Scholars at Risk (SAR), a network of over 400 higher education institutions in 39 countries working to protect threatened scholars, prevent attacks on higher education and promote academic freedom.

According to Free to Think, a recent report published by SAR, scholars and students at universities around the world face regular threats as a result of their academic work and free expression of ideas. These threats to higher education communities range from restrictions on travel and unjustified firings to imprisonment and violence. “Attacks on higher education shrink the space where people can freely think and ask questions about complex and contentious issues,” said SAR’s Executive Director, Robert Quinn. “Our Network members are central to protecting scholars targeted by these attacks and building a stronger, safer university space.”

SAR member institutions assist persecuted scholars and students by offering temporary research and teaching positions, monitoring and advocating against attacks on higher education, and conducting learning initiatives to promote academic freedom. In addition, faculty, staff and students at member institutions have the opportunity to engage in SAR activities, including:

•         Inviting SAR scholars to share their stories on campus through the SAR Speaker Series
•         Advocating on behalf of imprisoned scholars through Student Advocacy Seminars and SAR’s Action Campaigns
•         Researching attacks on higher education through the Academic Freedom Monitoring Project
•         Engaging in a growing conversation around university values by attending SAR workshops and joining working groups

Faculty, staff and students are invited to learn more about Scholars at Risk and how to get involved by visiting the official website and signing up for SAR updates.