Scholars at Risk

Scholars at Risk (SAR) and Mansfield University

Academic freedom is a cornerstone of a free and democratic society, and the free exchange and flow of ideas help to advance societies. However, there are places in the world where scholars are censored – or even worse – imprisoned for their academic expression or work. Scholars at Risk (SAR) is a transnational organization that monitors, advocates, and protects scholars worldwide. SAR is based at New York University (NYU) and has sections all over the world. There are over 530 higher education institutions affiliated with SAR, and Mansfield University is a proud affiliate member since 2017.

Student Advocacy Seminars

In collaboration with SAR, member institutions organize student advocacy seminars that advocate on behalf of selected persecuted scholars. These seminars are set up as experiential learning opportunities for students. During the seminar, students organize, plan, and execute activities to draw attention to the plight of scholars and the importance of academic freedom. The experience culminates in a final report that is shared with SAR and other affiliate members so that others can build upon these efforts.

At Mansfield University, Dr. Jonathan Rothermel (Associate Professor, Political Science) periodically offers a student advocacy seminar. In spring 2019, his class advocated on behalf of Xiyue Wang, an unjustly imprisoned Princeton Ph.D. student, who was subsequently released by Iran in December 2019. In spring 2021, his class advocated for two imprisoned scholars held in Iran: Ahmadreza Djalali, a medical disaster expert, and Niloufar Bayani, a wildlife researcher. The final reports from the classes can be accessed here:

2019 Xiyue Wang Final Report (PDF)

2021 Ahmadreza Djalai and Niloufar Bayani Final Report (PDF)

Invited Speakers