Scholars at Risk (SAR)
Scholars at Risk is an international network of universities founded in 1999 at the University of Chicago to promote academic freedom and protect scholars who are at risk of life or whose work is severely compromised.
SAR is currently part of the Network for Education and Academic Rights (NEAR) and the Scholars Rescue Fund (SRF) - Institute of International Education (IIE). The network comprises 550 universities in 42 countries.
In 2024, the Politecnico di Torino renewed its active participation in the SAR Italy network.
There are three areas of activity: protection, advocacy to raise awareness among civil society and politics on cases of attacks on academic freedom worldwide, and research and training on topics such as human rights and policies for welcoming academic refugees.
SAR Italy operates through the sharing of information, the exchange of good practices, collaboration in protection and advocacy activities (e.g., assisting and facilitating contacts with international foundations and funding bodies), and the organization of awareness-raising events.
On October 4, 2024, the National Assembly of SAR Italy was held at the University of Verona. The plenary session involved the Politecnico in working groups related to Institutional Relations and Welcome and Training.
Through SAR Italy, training courses will be promoted with a particular focus on the issues faced by scholars in at-risk countries and on types of visas and residence permits.