Attacks on academics still at ‘crisis’ levels, group warns

Globally, scholars and students are still being attacked at rates and in ways that “undermine entire higher education systems”, the Scholars at Risk network for academic freedom has warned.

“Around the world, attacks on scholars, students, staff, and their institutions occur with alarming frequency. These attacks are carried out by both state and non-state actors, in open and closed societies, using a range of methods,” Scholars at Risk said in its 2018 Free to Think report, published on 23 October.

“Ultimately, these attacks not only harm the individuals and institutions directly targeted; they undermine entire higher education systems and shrink everyone’s space to think, question, and share
ideas freely and safely.”