Scholars at Risk

09/03/2026

Join the ONWARDS “Secrets of Publishing: Pitching an Editor” webinar on Wednesday, September 9, from 3:00–4:30 p.m. EDT, featuring a workshop on how to strategically approach editors with compelling pitches and more.✍🏽 Register: https://ow.ly/VBqE50ZItwY

09/02/2026

We warmly welcome JMBF-JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France to the SAR network! Thank you for your commitment to supporting threatened scholars and protecting .

Explore how your institution can get involved with SAR: https://ow.ly/OYAe50ZaJSV

09/01/2026

23% fewer visas were issued in 2025 compared to the previous year—a loss in international talent that will noticeably impact universities’ financial stability and ability to drive innovative research across the country. Inside Higher Ed reports more:

Countries impacted by Trump’s travel ban are among those with the fewest student visas issued in 2025, though China and India, typically the two largest suppliers of international students to the U.S., were also hit hard.

09/01/2026

Thank you to SAR member Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf for commemorating with Democracy Day during their Open Campus Summer School!

The Open Campus program supports prospective students from refugee backgrounds as they explore higher education opportunities in Germany. During Democracy Day, participants joined experts from academia and civil society to explore how to strengthen and protect democracy—and how individuals, society, and universities can drive that work forward.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/mL7K50ZGJVX

SAR is grateful to our colleagues in Germany, and to all Network members mobilizing for .

08/31/2026

On August 13, 2010, Bahraini authorities arrested Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace, a professor of mechanical engineering. After sixteen years in prison, reports from the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) regarding his deteriorating health and new medical concerns reinforce the need to now.

Scholars at Risk sent the below letter to Bahraini authorities, urging them to secure the immediate release of Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace. Take action by signing a letter here. Via email The Honorable…

08/31/2026

Heading to Boston for the American Political Science Association's annual meeting, Sept. 3–6? Stop by the SAR booth (502) in Hall A of the Hynes Convention Center to learn how your institution can get involved, hear about upcoming events like our US General Assembly and Global Congress, and get a preview of forthcoming resources on the state of academic freedom around the world.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4x3d8qC

08/27/2026

Over 100 professors in the US and beyond signed the below letter calling for the release of Min Zin—a political science scholar and US citizen by . SAR urges US officials to act now to bring Min Zin home safely.

The below letter, signed by over 100 US professors in the US and abroad, expresses grave concern for scholar of political science and US citizen Min Zin, wrongfully detained in China on June 3…

08/25/2026

Universities as “guardians of reliable knowledge,” a conversation with Dr. Angela Ittel and Dr. Magdalena Sut-Lohmann on why Truth Matters at Technische Universität Braunschweig. Tune in to hear how TU Braunschweig supports at-risk scholars through their participation in the Philipp Schwartz Initiative (PSI) to protect vital research, such as one Ukrainian scholar’s work on studying soil to assess war damage on some of the world's most fertile land, and the impact of this research on protecting valuable food sources for society. Tune in: https://ow.ly/kJ2X50ZzZsy

08/19/2026

Is your university interested in joining our network to help promote ? Consider hosting this at-risk scholar within your department! https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/actions/host-a-scholar/

08/19/2026

Thank you to SAR network member, the Università degli Studi di Firenze for marking with an editorial!

Reflecting on SAR’s anniversary theme, “Truth Matters,” the University of Florence highlights the role of truth, critical thinking, and academic freedom as foundations for advancing knowledge, democratic societies, and human rights. The editorial considers how institutions can put these principles into practice through SAR network membership, by supporting at-risk scholars and mobilizing international solidarity for academic freedom.

“We share SAR’s commitment to documenting challenges in higher education and advocating for stronger protections for universities, scholars, and students worldwide, because we believe that truth is not a static possession, but an ongoing pursuit—one that requires openness, dialogue, and institutional courage.”

Read the article: https://unifinclude.unifi.it/art-282-the-university-of-florence-and-the-scholars-at-risk-network.html?newlang=eng

We are grateful to our colleagues in Italy and to all SAR network members mobilizing for .