SAR invites the #highered community to a workshop on academic freedom and personal safety, on Nov 12 at UChicago. Learn about responding to censorship attempts, understanding your legal rights, navigating sensitive topics in the classroom, and more. Learn more: https://ow.ly/pAJ750ZTXNv

The frequency and severity of restrictions on #studentexpression in #Free2Think2026, incl. violent responses to student protests in #Iran, #India, and #Serbia underscores the vulnerability of student expression around the world: https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/resources/free-to-think-2026/#section4

Nate Schenkkan, SAR Research and Learning Director, draws on SAR’s global academic freedom monitoring to offer #highered leaders lessons for combating current threats in the US. https://ow.ly/5CTF50ZTGxz

Universities should stick together, draw on civil society

Academic freedom is falling fast in the United States, but there are lessons from other countries and other parts of civil society. Higher education i...

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On Sept 25, after a court in #Azerbaijan rejected his appeal, #wrongfullyimprisoned PhD student Bahruz Samadov cut his arm with a sharp object, saying, “When words run out, you have to speak with blood.” Read: https://ow.ly/mUw050ZTIAx and help #FreeBahruz: https://ow.ly/bkqt50ZTIAw

Bahruz Samadov, Azerbaijan | Scholars at Risk

Bahruz Samadov is an Azerbaijani PhD student in the political science department at Charles University of Prague and a freelance political analyst. He is also a well-regarded researcher…

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Russian strikes on Ukrainian higher education institutions are not new. #Free2Think2026 recorded damage to universities on at least 17 separate occasions, aligning w/ the “severely restricted” rating in the #AcademicFreedomIndex: https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/resources/free-to-think-2026/#Ukraine

Hosting a #scholar at your academic institution? Seeking advice on how to prepare for the arrival of your new colleague? Find the answers to these questions and more in SAR’s How to Host Guide. Download here: https://ow.ly/LojF50ZItBj

How to Host Handbook | Scholars at Risk

Scholars at Risk's How to Host Handbook is primarily for officers, administrators, faculty and others at higher education institutions as they explore their interest in, plan for…

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Join SAR in Chicago for the US General Assembly, Nov 12–14. Connect with colleagues to share experiences and develop practical strategies to defend #academicfreedom. Hotel block is available through Oct 11, book today before rooms run out! Register: https://ow.ly/QmMY50ZR92A

Today,Russian strikes hit #Ukraine's National Academy of Sciences. Military forces must not target #highered or scientific infrastructure – civilian facilities. SAR condemns such attacks for the death and injuries caused and for the research stifled.https://ow.ly/VpXz50ZSsjx

Russian Drone Strikes Ukraine’s Science Academy, Causing Fire in City Center

A Russian jet-powered drone hit Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences, the source of almost all of the country’s major scientific discoveries.

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Higher education institutions serve as a training ground for critical thinking. When we protect #academicfreedom, we protect the right to ask hard questions. Read more: https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/resources/free-to-think-2026 #Free2Think2026

"Ideas are not crimes. Min Zin should not be in prison for his ideas, and Scholars at Risk calls for his immediate release,” says Clare Robinson, SAR Advocacy Director. #FreeMinZin https://ow.ly/KaHE50ZRAFp

Trump urged to raise detention of US scholar with Xi

Researcher was held at airport on way to participate in academic workshop, and has not been seen for more than 100 days

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How can the higher education community protect scholars and free inquiry? Join SAR for the US General Assembly in Chicago, Nov. 12–14, to share experiences, strengthen collaboration, and develop practical strategies to defend #academicfreedom. Register: https://ow.ly/skC150ZR8SX

Azerbaijan is seeking to transfer #wrongfullyimprisoned Talysh activist Igbal Abilov to a maximum-security prison for three years. SAR calls on Azerbaijani authorities to #FreeIgbalAbilov now: https://oc-media.org/azerbaijan-to-transfer-talysh-activist-igbal-abilov-to-maximum-security-prison/

Is your university interested in joining our network to help promote #AcademicFreedom? Consider hosting this at-risk scholar within your #Communications department!

Killings, violence, and disappearances made up 41% of attacks in #Free2Think2026. SAR calls upon states to ensure the safety of all members of #highered communities. https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/resources/free-to-think-2026/

🎧New episode! What is the link between academic freedom and the scientific search for truth? Listen: “We are on a constant search for the truth. That is what science and research are all about.” #SAR25 https://ow.ly/zo7r50ZQatz

Peace isn’t just the absence of violence–it’s the presence of truth, justice, and open dialogue. Democracy thrives when scholars and students can ask tough questions w/out fear. This #InternationalDayOfPeace, stand up for #AcademicFreedom: https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/resources/free-to-think-2026

We warmly welcome the Italian Institute of Technology to the SAR network! Thank you for your commitment to supporting threatened scholars and protecting #academicfreedom. Explore how your institution can get involved with SAR: https://ow.ly/73Ga50ZPAz9

Data from the #AcademicFreedomIndex reveals declining #AcademicFreedom worldwide. In 2026, the AFI found that academic freedom dropped significantly in 50/179 countries analyzed, including 13 countries & territories in #Free2Think2026: https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/resources/free-to-think-2026/

University autonomy isn't just under threat in authoritarian regimes—it’s violated in democracies worldwide. SAR Director Robert Quinn talked to Times Higher Education (THE) about #Free2Think2026 and the need to create a “global academic freedom agenda.” Read more:

‘Direct repression’ of academics on the rise, report finds

Universities must promote ‘broad public understanding’ that university autonomy is essential, Scholars at Risk’s annual report says

timeshighereducation.com

We thank Western Norway University of Applied Sciences for their continued collaboration in offering a placement to an at-risk #scholar on their campus! If interested in supporting #AcademicFreedom, join the network today! https://ow.ly/Oemy50ZItyS

1 year, 382 attacks, 59 global contexts. Academic freedom levels deteriorated globally due to state repression of scholars and students and government overreach in university autonomy. See how attacks on #highered impacted your country: https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/resources/free-to-think-2026/

SAR’s #Free2Think2025 report is out now to mark the International Day of #Democracy! Violent repression and government interference in #universityautonomy are leading threats to global #academicfreedom. Read the report now: https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/resources/free-to-think-2026/

Thank you to University of Victoria for marking #SAR25 with a forum on international solidarity & #academicfreedom, featuring SAR scholar Raghib Azizi. SAR is grateful to our members in Canada for supporting threatened colleagues. Join the movement today: https://ow.ly/jnBJ50ZNlBw

Interested in supporting an at-risk scholar? Consider hosting this scholar of #Philosophy at your institution! https://ow.ly/vQ2x50ZItxZ

Scholar Min Zin deserves to celebrate his birthday with his loved ones—instead, he’s been #wrongfullydetained in #China. SAR calls on Chinese authorities to immediately #FreeMinZin. Read SAR’s letter and take action here: https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/2026/09/release-u-s-citizen-scholar-min-zin

🎧Tune in! Dr. Charles Reeve of OCAD University talks with SAR Executive Director Rob Quinn about why difficult ideas matter in #highered. “At the moment, when you feel that you are being existentially challenged, that is the moment of maximum inquiry.” https://ow.ly/nwKR50ZKYBL

📢Save the date: SAR’s upcoming #Free2Think2026 report will be released on September 15 to mark the International Day of Democracy! The report covers attacks on #highered around the world and sheds light on how the international community protect #academicfreedom.

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/MkkM50ZItwX

We warmly welcome JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France to the SAR network! Thank you for your commitment to supporting threatened scholars and protecting #academicfreedom. Explore how your institution can get involved with SAR: https://ow.ly/OYAe50ZaJSV

23% fewer visas were issued in 2025 compared to the previous year—a loss in international talent that will noticeably impact #US universities’ financial stability and ability to drive innovative research across the country. @insidehighered.com reports more: www.insidehighered.com/news/global/...

New Student Visas Dropped 23% in 2025

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....

insidehighered.com