Scottish universities are stepping up efforts to support academics seeking refuge from conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and other regions facing political instability.
A charity founded more than 90 years ago to help academics fleeing Nazi persecution is now experiencing an unprecedented demand for assistance.
The Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara), established in 1933 in response to the expulsion of scholars from German universities under Hitler's regime, is now facing a 400% increase in requests for help over the past three academic years, with more than 2,000 academics seeking refuge in the UK.
To address this surge in demand, Cara is launching a fundraising roadshow across several major Scottish universities, starting with the University of Glasgow. The initiative aims to raise awareness and funds to continue its mission of providing sanctuary for academics in danger.
One of Cara's beneficiaries, Dr. Olena Taukchi, will speak at the University of Glasgow about how she fled Ukraine following Russia's invasion in 2022. Cara helped secure her a position as a postdoctoral fellow at the university’s school of modern languages and cultures, enabling her to continue her academic career in safety.
Dr. Taukchi shared her harrowing journey from Kharkiv, a city near the Russian border, to Ukraine’s western border, a journey that took six days in a neighbor’s car amid bombings and fuel shortages. She expressed gratitude to Cara, not only for her safety but for helping her fulfill her dream of working in the UK.
Cara’s executive director, Stephen Wordsworth, emphasized the urgency of the situation, describing the current moment as a "critical turning point." Despite successfully relocating more academics than ever before, the charity’s resources are stretched thin due to the overwhelming number of requests for help.
The roadshow will continue at the University of Edinburgh, the University of St Andrews, and other institutions, aiming to foster greater engagement within the academic community to support colleagues in danger.
Cara has been instrumental in navigating the logistical and bureaucratic hurdles faced by academics seeking refuge, including securing placements at UK universities and arranging funding. In 2023, Cara supported over 220 fellows from countries like Palestine, Afghanistan, Sudan, and Syria, with numbers expected to rise further in 2024.
Among those benefiting from Cara’s work is Amanullah Ahmadzai from Afghanistan, who is now studying for a PhD in law at the University of Edinburgh. Forced to flee after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Ahmadzai described the mental anguish of losing his freedom and ability to contribute to education and justice in his homeland. Cara, he said, helped him hold onto hope and continue his work.
Cara’s Scotland manager, Eilidh MacDonald, highlighted the strong support from Scottish higher education institutions, with 17 out of 19 universities in the country either financially supporting the charity or hosting fellows. The roadshow, she added, will further reinforce Scotland’s commitment to protecting academic freedom and supporting at-risk scholars. Photo by Clem_nat, Wikimedia commons.