Overview
Scholars at Risk: Defending Academic Freedom and Knowledge
In a world where ideas shape societies, protecting the freedom of scholars is critical. Scholars at Risk (SAR) and the Institute of International Education-Scholars Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF – https://www.scholarrescuefund.org/) are international networks committed to defending academic freedom and ensuring scholars’ vital contributions continue. Carleton University is proud to be part of these global initiatives, providing threatened scholars the safety and support they need to continue their work and create a better future.
The Background
Call to Action:
Your financial support is more urgent than ever. Together, we can make Carleton a refuge for scholars whose pursuit of knowledge has put them in danger. By supporting Scholars at Risk, you help us uphold academic freedom and human dignity. Show your solidarity by contributing here. Carleton aims to strengthen its position as a global leader in academic freedom and human rights.
Learn more about the history of Scholars At Risk Carleton here: https://carleton.ca/scholars-at-risk/about-us/.
The Rollout
Commitment to Academic Freedom:
Since 2013, Carleton has supported 19 at-risk scholars from Afghanistan, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, and Yemen among other countries through in-person appointments and global (remote) arrangements.
Providing Safe Haven:
The SAR program provides critical refuge for scholars facing persecution. One-third of Carleton’s academic units have hosted scholars with expertise in fields including biology, communications, economics, engineering, journalism, and political science.
Donations directly fund scholars’ salaries, housing, and research needs, ensuring scholars in life-threatening situations can continue their work in safety.
Advocacy and Actionable Research Agendas:
Your generous support allows Carleton to continue raising awareness and hosting events that bring together and center the voices and research of at-risk scholars. In May 2025, Carleton hosted the Scholars at Risk Conference, Safe Havens and Knowledge Networks in Canada, an international gathering of at-risk scholars and stakeholders from across sectors to share ideas and create forward-looking research agendas for addressing forced displacement and academic freedom. The event brought together displaced scholars and students with leaders from government, NGOs, and academia, catalyzing new partnerships and advancing shared research agendas. You can learn more about this event and at-risk scholars’ journeys in the keynote session of the Safe Havens conference that was produced on CBC’S Ideas, “Canadian universities as safe havens for scholars-in-exile.” With your support, we can continue to help at-risk scholars and reach audiences around the world to raise awareness about this vitally important work.
When you support Carleton’s Scholars at Risk program, you help protect academic freedom and empower scholars to shape a more just and informed future.
The Impact
Global Impact:
Carleton University is committed to global academic solidarity and the preservation of knowledge across disciplines. By hosting at-risk scholars, the university strengthens the academic community, enriches dialogue with diverse perspectives, and fosters international collaboration.
Every contribution makes a difference. Your support helps sustain global knowledge networks and defend academic freedom. Donations to SAR Carleton directly fund essential support for scholars, including salaries, housing, and research expenses. This enables Carleton to continue its vital mission of hosting threatened scholars and preserving their academic contributions. By supporting at-risk and displaced scholars, you are not only protecting individual lives and ideas, but you are also fostering academic resilience with real impact in Canada and around the world.
Local Impact:
Welcoming an at-risk scholar enhances teaching and learning by adding depth, diversity, and humanity to the student experience. It transforms the campus into a living example of resilience, inclusion, and global academic excellence.
At-risk scholars bring global perspectives to their research, teaching, and mentorship of students. Their insights into crisis, resilience, and cross-cultural integration help students connect theory to the real world. This exposure deepens critical thinking, empathy, and collective responsibility. These are essential outcomes of a Carleton education. The experiences of at-risk scholars will inspire students to pursue their education and their future careers with purpose, knowing that they are already part of a larger global intellectual community and that their education will make a difference.
To learn more about how SAR Carleton helps visiting scholars make a lasting impact, please visit:https://carleton.ca/scholars-at-risk/2024/from-at-risk-scholars-to-global-advocates-how-sar-carleton-empowers-visiting-scholars-to-make-an-impact/.