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.
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.
Draft agenda: (Please note that this schedule is subject to change and additional sessions may be added.)
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
Thursday, October 17:
8:30-9:30 am – Scholar conversations on navigating threats to academic freedom (continental breakfast provided)
9:30-10:45 am
Session 1 – Post-placement planning for scholars
11:00 am-12:00 pm – Closing plenary
Creating community with at-risk artists and scholars (City of Asylum)
Scholars at Risk USA into the Future