Academic freedom
UiO's strategy is grounded in a spirit of academic freedom and collegiality, and our academic culture is characterised by critical reflection and debate, a critical attitude towards established norms, and a place where objectivity and freedom from prejudice flourish. These characteristics are not obvious all over the world, and many scholars experience restrictions in their research, teaching, publication and dissemination. Some are imprisoned or even threatened on life. As a longstanding and sustaining member of Scholars at Risk, UiO contributes to highlighting academic freedom.
Activities
UiO has been hosting scholars at risk since 2009. From 2017, UiO increased from hosting 2 to hosting 4 threatened scholars yearly, and in 2022 increased again to 6 scholars yearly. The scholars have needed to leave their home countries due to persecution or other threats, and they get a chance to continue their research in peace at UiO. Read the greeting our first scholar (2009-10) sent us on his departure, greeting to UiO .
UiO offer two study courses including a Student Advocacy Seminar in cooperation with SAR. One unit is a compulsory part of the Master in Human Rights in Theory and Practice HUMR4504. The other unit is an elective course in Media and communication open to all UiO students MEVIT4620/MEVIT362 (10 ECTS).
UiO participates in activities of the Norwegian Section of Scholars at Risk and we contribute to international network activities in cooperation with the global SAR network and SAR Europe. UiO has a Scholars at Risk committee following up on the engagement.
Scholars at Risk-Norway Section was started in 2011, and UiO hosted its 10 year anniversary event in 2021 Ten Years of Protecting Academic Freedom - What will the Future Bring?
UiO was a partner of the first EU-funded InSPIREurope project (2019-22) an Initiative to Support, Promote and Integrate Researchers at Risk in Europe.
UiO coordinated an Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership, Academic Refuge 2016-19 promoting academic freedom and other core university values and SAR hosting in Europe. One of the products of the project is a massive open online course on academic freedom; Dangerous Questions: Why Academic Freedom Matters.
UiO's human rights award, The Lisl and Leo Eitinger Prize 2012, was awarded to Robert Quinn, Executive Director of Scholars at Risk.
Growing network
Scholars at Risk was established at the University of Chicago in June 2000 by a number of universities. From the start, most institutions were American, but over the last years the most substantial growth has been in Europe.The network has over 650 member institutions in more than 40 countries. UiO has been a member since 2001.
The Scholar Rescue Fund
UiO is also a partner of the IIE-Scholar Rescue Fund Alliance. The Scholar Rescue Fund has contributed with financial support for some of the scholars hosted at UiO.
Institutional contact person
Marit Egner, Senior Adviser, Office for Research and International Cooperation
Info for accepted SAR-scholars to UiO
Scholars at Risk - Norway Section
SAR-Norway brings together the more than 20 Norwegian SAR member institutions to facilitate cooperation. It also organizes the yearly launch of the SAR Free to Think Reports together with the Students and Academics International Assistance Fund (SAIH).
Homepage of SAR Norway Section (Norwegian)
Facebook of SAR Norway Section
Need for protection?
Individual scholars who need protection may apply for support through the the international Scholars at Risk website. The SAR network will assess the application and assist in finding a host institution, if the candidate is accepted.
The UiO academic units can contact the UiO institutional contact person to suggest candidates who need protection.