News Archives - Scholars at Risk

Responding to the global displacement crisis: A role for Canadian universities?

andrewjohnston — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 12:14:07 +0000

�Ӱ�ԭ�� University’s James Milner, professor of Political Science and Director of the Migration and Diaspora Studies, along with Nyabuol Biel Gang and Lilly Neang, two students in �Ӱ�ԭ��’s Global and International Studies and Migration and Diaspora Studies respectively have published an article in on the current global crisis of human displacement.��The article starts with the unprecedented scale of the problem—currently over 123 million people have been forced to flee their homes worldwide, and then explores the many ways universities, including Scholars at Risk programs such as �Ӱ�ԭ��’s, continue to play an important role in providing support for refugees, while also enriching the intellectual diversity of Canadian institutions.

World Refugee Day

andrewjohnston — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 20:51:13 +0000

Today, June 20, is World Refugee Day, an international day of recognition first organized by the UN in 2001 to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. While Canada is a signatory to that Convention and has generally had a laudatory record, from helping resettle refugees from Indochina in 1979 to Afghan and Syrian families more recently, political support for immigration has been weakening, even in cases of refugees. Today, there are roughly 123 million people forcibly displaced from their homes, an increase of 6 percent from the previous year, driven by new wars in Ukraine, Gaza, the DRC, Sudan, and other places. Political, economic, and ecological instability will only make it worse. While the vast majority of refugees today are internally displaced, nearly 43 million are cross-border exiles under UNHCR’s mandate—an increase of 28 million since 2011. As these numbers rise, the political climate in wealthier states has turned against the very Convention they once designed.

At �Ӱ�ԭ��’s recent “Safe Havens and Knowledge Networks in Canada” conference, organized in part by the Scholars at Risk Committee, the audience was reminded that one of the most famous refugees of the last century was Albert Einstein. �Ӱ�ԭ�� Physics Professor Dr. Mustafa Bahran recounted his own escape from Yemen in 2015, and subsequent long journey via, Saudi Arabia, the United States and eventually to Canada, a journey made possible only through a global network of people working to provide support for refugees. �Ӱ�ԭ��’s Scholars at Risk Committee remains deeply and unreservedly committed to providing safe shelter to academic refugees from around the world.

Conference closes with trumpet call to strengthen, streamline support for at-risk scholars amid attacks on academic freedom

LindaHartwell — Sun, 25 May 2025 17:36:45 +0000

Safe Havens session on Scholars at Risk movement to air as CBC Ideas episode June 9

LindaHartwell — Sun, 25 May 2025 17:34:16 +0000

The Safe Havens and Knowledge Networks in Canada conference, held May 22-23 at �Ӱ�ԭ�� University, will be featured in a June 9 episode of CBC Radio’s Ideas program examining the Scholars at Risk movement in Canada and around the world.

Rae sounds alarm about U.S. government’s ‘systematic attack on academic freedom’

LindaHartwell — Sun, 25 May 2025 17:29:16 +0000

Bob Rae, Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations, had some blunt messages for conference participants when he delivered a special address via video link from New York to the Scholars at Risk gathering at �Ӱ�ԭ�� University on May 22.

Bridging gaps for displaced and at-risk scholars: A new academic advancement and career alignment certificate at �Ӱ�ԭ�� University

LindaHartwell — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:35:36 +0000

Scholars at Risk �Ӱ�ԭ�� is thrilled to announce the launch of the Academic Advancement and Career Alignment Certificate for New Scholars in Canada in partnership with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

Empowering At-Risk and Displaced Scholars in Canada

banaaltahir — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 13:52:31 +0000

On behalf of Norah Vollmer

What started as a small idea and many discussions has grown into a meaningful initiative!

I’m proud to have developed Scholars at Risk �Ӱ�ԭ��’s Academic Advancement and Career Alignment Certificate for New Scholars in Canada (with lots of help!) – now in its second year – in collaboration with , , .

Funded in part by , this program supports at-risk and displaced scholars, artists, and activists whose careers have been interrupted – helping them to navigate next steps in Canada and strengthen their academic and professional profiles, whether continuing in academia or transitioning into other sectors.

A huge thank you to our amazing Week 1 collaborators:
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,
Karim Abuawad,
,
,
,
Azar Masoumi, ,
and, of course, all of the incredible at-risk scholars who inspire me every day!

This initiative builds on the At-Risk and Displaced Academics and Artists (ARDAA) workshop, offering deeper engagement and continuity for those navigating the Canadian academic landscape.

Together, we’re creating safe havens and knowledge networks for scholars who have faced unimaginable challenges—and helping them rebuild their careers with confidence. Let’s continue to foster academic freedom and global collaboration.

So that we can continue these important programs, please consider supporting Scholars at Risk �Ӱ�ԭ�� at

Thank you!

“I love people and stories that change the world.” SAR �Ӱ�ԭ�� founder Angelo Mingarelli interviewed by Nataliia Kononova

andrewjohnston — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 03:43:17 +0000

Just over 12 years ago, �Ӱ�ԭ�� Mathematics Professor Angelo Mingarelli, along with �Ӱ�ԭ�� University’s Academic Staff Association (CUASA) took the initiative in partnering the university with the international Scholars at Risk network. Last month, Ukrainian journalist and artist Nataliia Kononova, whose husband Iliia has been a �Ӱ�ԭ�� scholar since 2023, interviewed Angelo about his lifelong commitment human rights, intellectual inquiry, and education. The interview was published in the Ukrainian journal East/West, and can be read in translation .

Nominations Open for At-Risk and Displaced Academics and Artists | La SRC accepte actuellement les candidatures pour le programme des Chercheurs et artistes en danger et déplacés

banaaltahir — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 18:00:50 +0000

The Royal Society of Canada is pleased to announce the call for applications for the 2025 competition for the program. The application deadline is February 21, 2025.

Facilitated by the RSC College, ARDAA supports academics and artists from around the world who have been displaced through war, conflicts or threats of violence and who, prior to their displacement, were engaged in innovative and entrepreneurial research activity, demonstrating a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, leadership and responsibility to their communities, and who were making meaningful contributions to society.

The ARDAA program supports eligible candidates in three ways:

By offering membership in the RSC College to up to two eligible applicants each year. Applications are invited from eligible candidates to be part of the 2025 cohort of the RSC College. More details about the application process and eligibility criteria are
By offering mentorship from RSC Fellows and College Members. RSC Members interested in volunteering as mentors should contact ardaa@rsc-src.ca.
By hosting workshops to assist eligible candidates in navigating academia in Canada. This year’s workshop will be held in April in Ottawa.

Get Involved

A key aspect of the program is mentorship from RSC Members. The ARDAA program is seeking volunteers from across Canada and across disciplines to serve as mentors. The aim of the program is to connect candidates with mentors from the same institution/region and/or from the same discipline, and mentors are currently needed in all areas. The role of an RSC Mentor will be to support the candidate in navigating academia in Canada. RSC Members interested in volunteering as mentors should contact ardaa@rsc-src.ca.

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La Société royale du Canada est heureuse d’annoncer que l’appel à candidatures pour le concours de 2025 du programme des est ouvert. La date limite de dépôt des candidatures est le 21 février 2025.

Coordonné par le Collège de la SRC, le programme des CADD vise à soutenir les universitaires et les artistes du monde entier qui ont été déplacés en raison d’une guerre, d’un conflit ou de menaces de violence et qui, avant leur déplacement, étaient investis dans une activité de recherche innovante et entrepreneuriale qui démontrait leur engagement envers la collaboration interdisciplinaire ainsi que leur leadership et leur sens de la responsabilité à l’égard de leur communauté, et qui apportait une contribution importante à la société.

Le programme des CADD soutient les candidats admissibles de trois façons distinctes :

En offrant le statut de membre du Collège de la SRC à un maximum de deux candidats admissibles chaque année. Les candidats admissibles sont invités à poser leur candidature pour faire partie de la cohorte de 2025 du Collège de la SRC. De plus amples informations sur le processus de candidature et les critères d’admissibilité sont disponibles
En offrant un service de mentorat assuré par des membres de la SRC et des membres du Collège. Les membres de la SRC ou du Collège qui souhaitent offrir bénévolement leurs services en tant que mentors peuvent communiquer avec nous à l’adresse ardaa@rsc-src.ca.
En organisant des ateliers pour aider les candidats admissibles à s’orienter dans le milieu universitaire au Canada. Cette année, l’atelier se tiendra en avril, à Ottawa.

Impliquez-vous

Un aspect clé du programme est le mentorat fourni par les membres de la SRC. Le programme des CADD est à la recherche de bénévoles de toutes les régions du Canada et de toutes les disciplines qui accepteraient de servir de mentors. L’objectif du programme est de mettre en relation les candidats avec des mentors du même établissement (ou de la même région) et de la même discipline. Nous avons actuellement des besoins à combler dans tous les domaines. Le rôle d’un·e mentor·e de la SRC est d’aider le ou la candidat·e à s’y retrouver dans le milieu universitaire canadien. Les membres de la SRC qui souhaitent se porter volontaires pour assumer ce rôle sont invités à envoyer un courriel à l’adresse ardaa@rsc-src.ca.

A Personal Reflection on Art, Human Rights, and Resilience

norahvollmer — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 11:52:00 +0000

December 2 was a remarkable day at �Ӱ�ԭ�� University as we hosted “Mysteries Near the Waterfall”, an art exhibition by Ukrainian artist Nataliia Kononova—an event that deeply resonated with me, both as someone who loves art and as co-chair of Scholars at Risk �Ӱ�ԭ��.

Reflecting on 2024, this event reminded me why the work we do matters so profoundly. Through the lens of art, we witnessed the resilience of individuals who continue to champion justice and academic freedom despite unimaginable challenges. It was a privilege to stand alongside such inspiring voices and to reaffirm our shared commitment to human rights and the transformative power of education.

We were honored to hear from �Ӱ�ԭ�� University’s Provost L. Pauline Rankin and , Canada’s Permanent Representative to United Nations.��Their powerful words highlighted the global urgency of defending academic freedom and protecting those who face threats to their lives.

For me, this event also felt like a step forward in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Quality Education (Goal 4), Reduced Inequalities (Goal 10), and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (Goal 16). Supporting scholars at risk is more than a responsibility—it’s a call to action to build a more just and equitable world.

Thank you to everyone who made this event possible, especially our incredible team and the �Ӱ�ԭ�� University community, who show every day what it means to stand for human rights and academic freedom.

If you weren’t able to join us, I encourage you to learn more about our program – Scholars at Risk – �Ӱ�ԭ�� University – and how you can support this critical work.

Special thanks to Linda Hartwell for capturing the essence of the event in her powerful article. Read more about the event here: �Ӱ�ԭ�� Hosts Celebration of Art, Human Rights and Resilience – Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

Wishing you all a hopeful and inspiring 2025!