Scholars at Risk Fights Threats to Higher Education

Rob Quinn, Scholars at Risk Executive Director, and Cathy Furlong

Scholars at Risk was established to respond to threats to higher education around the world. Because of member institutions such as the American Statistical Association, SAR has helped thousands of scholars and documented many hundreds of attacks on higher education in more than 100 countries. 

US higher education is experiencing unprecedented pressures on university admissions, hiring, research and teaching content, departmental structures, policies on speech, disciplinary policies and sanctions, and finances. The following are initial steps SAR is taking to respond, assist member institutions, and communicate the importance of higher education to all Americans:

• On March 21, SAR began issuing a bimonthly publication called US Bulletin, augmenting SAR’s longstanding Academic Freedom Media Review, by compiling relevant US-focused media, public writings, events, and SAR updates.
• Beginning in spring 2025, SAR will organize US-focused Zoom calls and webinars for members and partners. Some sessions will be focused on information-sharing and updates. Others will include presentations from key experts, stakeholders, and emerging working groups. 
• Looking ahead, SAR and the SAR US Section Steering Committee (representing all US SAR member institutions) will hold the SAR US Section General Assembly October 9–10 at New York University. The general assembly is the annual meeting for US members and prospective member institutions to share experiences and explore collective responses.

Subscribe to US Bulletin and sign up to receive invitations to the Zoom meetings and webinars and updates about the general assembly meeting.

Resources

• Scholars at Risk addresses attacks on academic freedom through monitoring, documenting, and reporting via their Academic Freedom Monitoring Project[VN1] . All are encouraged to provide information about attacks (in the US or worldwide).
• American Association for the Advancement of Science district visits guide[VN2]  (for advocacy with members of Congress)
• American Association of University Professors v. Rubio[VN3]  (lawsuit challenging ideological deportation policy)
• Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom: Understanding the Law and Policies for Grant Terminations for the National Science Foundation[VN4] 
• American Historical Association: History of Deportation[VN5] 
• National Academies Committee on Human Rights: Resources for Protecting Immigrant Students, Employees, and Patients[VN6] 
• Presidents’ Alliance: Rights & Protection Hub: Guidance for Institutions and Immigrant Students[VN7] 
• Scholars at Risk: Report on the 2024 Global Congress[VN8] 

Get involved in SAR.