Helsinki joins Scholars at Risk

The University of Helsinki has become a member of the Scholars at Risk network, which promotes academic opportunities for researchers escaping repression.

The University of Helsinki said it would invite visiting researchers from crisis areas and those who are being restricted in their academic freedom as part of its membership. “The university wants to take global responsibility and offer persecuted researchers an opportunity to continue their work,” said Liisa Laakso, the dean of the university’s faculty of social sciences.

Initially, the university’s support will focus on crisis regions such as Syria, Iran, Iraq, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Democratic Republic of Congo and Pakistan, the University of Helsinki said in a statement on 27 November.