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³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ convened representatives from universities and research institutions across London and the UK to explore how higher education can support exiled and at-risk academics.

The symposium ‘Research Beyond Borders: The Role of Universities in Supporting Exiled and At-Risk Academics’ was held in partnership with (The Council for At-Risk Academics) at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s South Kensington Campus.  It explored the important role universities can play in providing sanctuary to exiled academics, the high research impact of this group, and the value of showing meaningful, sustained solidarity with at-risk scholars around the world. 

Cara plays a vital role in supporting academics to work safely and with dignity – and by backing scholars at risk, universities like ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ can help ensure that talent and expertise are not lost to conflict or repression. Professor Mary Ryan Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise)

Founded in the UK in 1933 in response to Hitler’s decision to expel hundreds of leading scholars from German universities, Cara is a rescue mission for academics around the world who need urgent help to escape discrimination, persecution, violence or conflict. Cara also supports academics who choose to continue working in their home countries despite serious dangers, as well as higher education institutions whose work is threatened or compromised. 

³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ is proud to have partnered with Cara since 2010 and hosted Cara fellows since 2019. As a member of Cara’s network of 135 partner universities, ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ hosts eight talented postdoctoral researchers through the Cara Fellowship Programme.  

Professor Mary Ryan, Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise) who chaired the event, said: 

“Universities have always been places of inquiry, openness and intellectual freedom. At times of global uncertainty, that role becomes even more important.

“Across the world, more academics are being forced to leave their home institutions due to conflict or persecution. An ongoing challenge for the global research community is how we support these scholars to continue their work and remain part of our academic community. 

"The Cara Fellows are brilliant academics who bring new perspectives and add enormously to our research ecosystem. I've been inspired by their resilience and determination. Cara plays a vital role in supporting academics to work safely and with dignity – and by backing scholars at risk, universities like ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ can help ensure that talent and expertise are not lost to conflict or repression." 

Matthew Foster, Cara Chief Executive said “Cara has existed since 1933, and since our foundations, we’ve strengthened our network – we now have 135 members in UK universities. We’ve now supported over 12,000 academics and while the Cara story begins with a crisis response in 1933, it quickly becomes a story of impact with 16 Nobel prize winners. We’re not just offering a way out of crisis – we’re offering a way to keep the flames of knowledge alive.” 

A shared commitment across London and beyond 

³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ welcomed representatives from the London and UK university, research and policy network including from UCL, King’s College London, Brunel University of London, Royal Holloway, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, University of Cambridge and the University of Central Lancashire who came together at this symposium to express their collective support for Cara. By convening universities and research institutions from across the country, the event demonstrated the value of a coordinated response to supporting scholars at risk. 

The discussion highlighted how collaboration between institutions can expand opportunities for exiled and at-risk academics, from fellowship placements and mentoring to research networks and long-term career development. It also reinforced the message that supporting displaced scholars is not the responsibility of any one organisation alone, but a shared commitment across the higher education and research community. 

Enabling hope and impact  

Supported by universities like ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, Cara Fellows are able to continue their high-impact research from a place of safety.  

A panel discussion during the symposium shared perspectives and experiences from across the Cara community including current and former fellows and supervisors. 

Cara’s work is lifesaving – but it also ensures that science continues without borders. Dr Zenebe Girmay Siyum Cara Fellow, Centre for Environmental Policy

Among the panellists was Dr Zenebe Girmay Siyum, a Cara Fellow at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s Centre for Environmental Policy.  His research focuses on sustainable dryland forest management in the context of climate change, applying dendroclimatology and socio-ecological approaches. He is interested in advancing cross-disciplinary solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation, the sustainability of forest products and services, and environmental recovery in fragile and conflict-prone drylands. Since joining the Centre for Environmental Policy, Zenebe has published seven peer-reviewed papers with a further two under review, and he has also presented his research at conferences.  

“I’m grateful for ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ and Cara’s support. The war that broke out in Ethiopia’s Tigray region in 2020 put the region under a total siege for nearly two years and resulted in demolition of many institutions, so it was difficult to consider continuing my academic work – it was a question of survival. After passing through these hardships, I have come to learn that institutions like Cara provide a lifeline for threatened academics. So, it was a great pleasure to get this placement here at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ. Cara’s work is lifesaving – but it also ensures that science continues without borders.” 

I want my research to be helpful for society, and inspire students and scholars to have hope, and continue their own research Professor Hala J. El-Khozondar Honorary Professor, Department of Materials

Professor Hala J. El-Khozondar, Honorary Professor in the Department of Materials at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ and a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Smart Systems at the Islamic University of Gaza, is a former Cara Fellow at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ.  Her research spans solar energy systems, renewable energy hybrid systems, optical fibres, wireless communication, optical sensors, metamaterials and polycrystalline materials. 

“I’m thankful for having a fellowship from Cara to give me the opportunity to come to the UK. My experiences make me think about what I can do with my research: I want my research to be helpful for society, and inspire students and scholars to have hope, and continue their own research. I see that here at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ. It’s not just a place to create knowledge, it’s knowledge, humanity, connection and hope – that’s what I have here at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ.” 

The panel also included Professor Fang Xie of ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s Department of Materials and the London Centre for Nanotechnology, a supervisor of former ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Cara Fellow Professor Hala El-Khozondar. “It’s an extraordinary experience to host a Cara fellow in my group. The fellowship is an excellent example of science for humanity and how we shape the future. Working with Hala over the last few years, it has been brilliant to see her contributions to the wider research environment. As a research group, we now focus more on how we support each other, become resilient and how we all bring diverse perspectives to research.” 

The panel also heard from Dr Anahita Motazed Rad, an Iranian alumna who is now a Visiting Senior Fellow in the Department of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her research interests include Middle East International Relations, Foreign Policy Analysis, Iranian Foreign Policy, and Women in Diplomacy. She is also affiliated with the LSE Middle East Centre and the Women in Diplomacy Project at LSE IDEAS. 

³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s longstanding partnership with Cara 

The flagship Cara Fellowship programme offers one- to two-year postdoctoral fellowships through a UK-wide network of more than 135 partner institutions, enabling at-risk scholars to continue their work in a place of safety while building professional networks and skills. 

At ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, the partnership currently supports eight Fellows from a range of countries. Among them is Sergei, a Russian Cara Fellow at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ as part of its wider work highlighting the experiences of displaced scholars and the importance of continuing research in safety.  

Expanding support for Cara from the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ community 

A key theme of the symposium was that supporting exiled and at-risk academics is a shared endeavour across all disciplines and faculties. 

³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ researchers can contribute by supervising a Cara Fellow over a one- to two-year period, helping them to develop skills, build networks and navigate the UK higher education and research landscape. Staff can also mentor a Cara Fellow based at another institution, offering guidance on publication records, teaching experience and applications for funding. 

These opportunities were presented as forms of mutual learning as well as practical support, enabling talented researchers to continue their work while enriching the wider academic community. Colleagues interested in getting involved are encouraged to join the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ-Cara Network as mentors, supervisors or ambassadors.