Scholars at Risk Promoting Academic Freedom

Ruhr University Bochum is proud about its re-election to the Steering Committee of the Scholars at Risk (SAR) Germany Section, reaffirming its ongoing commitment to academic freedom and the protection of scholars at risk around the world.

The SAR Germany Section, of which Ruhr University Bochum is a founding member, is part of the international Scholars at Risk Network, which works to protect threatened scholars and promote academic freedom worldwide. The Scholars at Risk Germany Section actively supports the Philipp Schwartz Initiative – an important program developed in partnership by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Federal Foreign Office. This initiative provides vital support to at-risk researchers by enabling them to continue their work through research fellowships at universities across Germany.

Creating safe academic environments

As a member of the SAR Germany Steering Committee, Ruhr University Bochum joins the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, The German Academic Exchange Services, the German Rectors´ Conference, the German Research Foundation as well as leading universities in Germany in shaping strategic priorities, and contributing to national and international initiatives that create safe academic environments for scholars facing persecution.

“We are honored to be re-elected to the Steering Committee of the SAR Germany Section,” says Prof. Dr. Martin Paul, Rector of Ruhr University Bochum. “This will allow us to deepen our engagement with German and global partners and strengthen our commitment to promoting academic freedom and the human rights of scholars in Germany and worldwide, which is more important now than ever before.“

Ruhr University Bochum has been an active member of the SAR network since 2016, hosting and otherwise empowering threatened scholars, researching and teaching on academic freedom, solidarity and responsibility, as well as organizing international trainings and public outreach events to raise awareness about the challenges facing academic communities globally and how to (co-)create appropriate institutional responses.