Northumbria increases its support to at-risk academics

23rd August 2022

More academics who are needing to escape their country due to persecution, war or conflict are being given the opportunity to seek sanctuary at Northumbria University.

The Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara), provides urgently needed help to academics in immediate danger, those forced into exile, and many who choose to work on in their home countries despite serious risks. Every year Cara receives hundreds of requests for help from desperate academics, in immediate danger of arrest, injury or even death because of persecution, violence and conflict.

In January 2019 Northumbria became a supporting member of Cara, part of the UK network of 131 Universities and research institutes who offer sanctuary to support this valuable work.

Since then, the University has been able to host and financially support a number of Visiting Fellows and their families, making it possible for them to connect with academic colleagues and enhance their skills during their period of exile.

Northumbria supports Cara’s aims including that, “when the moment comes, our Fellows are equipped to return to rebuild their societies”.

Building on its existing partnership with Cara, Northumbria has now committed to fund a further three Fellows each year to assist at risk academics.

Professor John Woodward, Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor for Engineering & Environment at Northumbria and Executive lead for Cara, said: ‘I am incredibly proud that the Northumbria community is able to offer a welcoming place of safety for our visiting Cara fellows. With the significant increase in at-risk academics fleeing conflict zones and persecution around the world, the University is keen to do all we can to support more colleagues and their families.’