Free to think 2021

06.12.2021

The network Scholars at Risk organizes on December 9, 2021, from 2 pm to 8 pm, the “Free to Think 2021” a virtual symposium marking the release of SAR’s Free to Think 2021 report tracing attacks on higher education communities around the world. At the conclusion of the symposium, SAR will present the 2021 Courage to Think Award, which recognizes individuals, groups, or institutions that demonstrate an exemplary commitment to protecting scholars and promoting academic freedom.

The event is free and open to the public, with pre-registration required. An optional virtual networking session will follow the event.

The report, based on data compiled by SAR’s Academic Freedom Monitoring Project, analyzes attacks on higher education communities around the world, including violent attacks on universities, wrongful imprisonment and prosecutions of scholars, and attacks on student expression. The report also recommends steps that diverse stakeholders—from governments and higher education leaders to the public at large—can take to promote and protect academic freedom.

The virtual symposium will also feature the presentation of SAR’s 2021 Courage to Think Award to Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali, a prominent scholar of disaster medicine sentenced to death in Iran. The award recognizes his struggle for academic freedom and connection to the international academic community. Dr. Djalali’s wife, Vida Mehrannia, will accept the award on Dr. Djalali’s behalf.