Aiding scholars at risk
Harvard has just issued its annual call for nominations of international scholars who face persecution in their native lands. Since 2002, the University has provided one-year visiting fellowships to one or more scientists, writers, or political figures in its Scholars at Risk initiative. They are in danger because of their work, gender, ethnicity, religion, or political opinions. “The support of American universities for scholars facing the risk of persecution because of their beliefs, scholarship, or identities has always been critically important,” said Harvard President Drew Faust in an Oct. 20 email asking for nominations, “and threats to academic freedom today are no less intense.” The deadline for nominations is Nov. 9. After that, a faculty committee will choose the 2011-12 fellows. Scholars from any discipline represented at Harvard are eligible. “The purpose of the fellowship is to enable scholars whose lives have been disrupted to pursue their research interests,” wrote Faust, “and to benefit...