As democratic values come under growing pressure across the globe, academic freedom, a core pillar of higher education and democratic societies, is increasingly under attack. From surveillance and censorship to the imprisonment and exile of scholars, the higher education sector faces persistent pressure from government and non-state actors, resulting in restrictions on free inquiry and critical thought. In Europe, where freedom of expression and respect for democratic rights have long been foundational, academic institutions and individuals are facing new forms of repression and political interference. Students in Europe and globally have been working to address direct attacks on scholars through coordinated advocacy efforts.
Scholars at Risk (SAR)
Scholars at Risk (SAR) is an international network dedicated to protecting threatened scholars and promoting academic freedom. Through hosting scholars, public and government advocacy, case campaigns, and student-led initiatives, SAR empowers universities and individuals to uphold academic freedom and related human rights within and beyond the academic sphere.
European Student Advocacy Days 2026
SAR’s European Student Advocacy Days 2026, hosted by MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® in Innsbruck, Austria, will bring together students, faculty, democratic rights defenders, and institutional partners from across Europe and beyond. This two-day event offers a rich and interactive program of keynote lectures, student-led presentations, workshops, case studies, and curated excursions. Participating students will present their research and advocacy work on behalf of imprisoned and at-risk scholars, while gaining tools to engage in meaningful human rights action in their own contexts.
In keeping with SAR’s mission, the conference emphasizes:
- Empowerment of student voices and agency in global democratic and human rights work
- Building networks and fostering solidarity (also in the region)
- Advocacy vs. activism - how to be part of the system and change the system (strategies for change)
- Protecting the academic space from being a target for epistemic violence, authoritarianism, and erasure;
- Practising civic responsibility and individual and collective accountability
- Cross-regional solidarity and exchange, including engagement with NGOs, scholars in exile, and delegations from partner regions.
Join us in reaffirming academic freedom as a democratic necessity and equipping the next generation of scholars and advocates with an awareness of their responsibility and the tools to protect it.
As a certified Green Event, the conference also models sustainability and inclusive participation.