Join us in Pittsburgh to support scholars and academic freedom!

On October 16-17, scholars and advocates from the Scholars at Risk Network will gather to promote academic freedom locally, in the U.S., and around the world. The 2024 SAR United States General Assembly will provide a forum for us to discuss how we can best protect scholars and defend everyone’s freedom to think, question, and share ideas.

"Building bridges to support scholars and promote academic freedom."

Please register today, and see the draft program below. We hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please write to Brian Evans at be2219@nyu.edu.

Tuesday, October 15:

4:30-6:00 pm – Informal ticketed reception at City of Asylum (optional).

Wednesday, October 16:

8:30 am-3:00 pm – Conference check-in

8:30-9:30 am – Coffee and tea

9:15-10:45 am – Opening plenary: Academic freedom in the global context (Eve Darian-Smith & Abdullahi An-Na’im)

11:00 am-12:15 pm – Breakout sessions:

• Session 1 – Introduction to hosting scholars: Administrative models for building out a SAR program
• Session 2 – Student engagement: Advocacy seminars and legal clinics
• Session 3 – Scholar connections

12:15-1:30 pm – Lunch provided and guided tours of the exhibition “What We Brought With Us”

1:30-2:45 pm – Breakout sessions:

• Session 1 – SAR’s “Free to Think” report: Advocating for academic freedom
• Session 2 – Sharing the Platform: Making the most of scholar placements

3:00-4:15 pm – Town hall meeting on promoting academic freedom in the USA and the role of the SAR USA section

5:00-7:00 pm – Evening reception @ University of Pittsburgh, featuring tours of the Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral of Learning

7:30-9:30 pm – Dessert and a movie