SAR: Diversity, Freedom, and Scholars at Risk in Finnish Academia
Time and place: 29th of September, 2026, 09.30-16:00, followed by the reception 16.00-17.00, Agora, Lecture Hall XXI, University of Turku.
Key words: freedom, diversity, SARs, Finnish academia, risks, resilience, polycrisis.
Rationale: to make scholars at risk visible in the Finnish academia; to plan activities of support and empowerment for SARs as a vulnerable yet highly skilled professional group; to discuss perspectives of professional and life adaptation and integration of refugee academic professionals in Finland.
Format: interdisciplinary seminar with a final reception and informal networking.
Agenda and themes:
• Academic freedom and diversity in times of polycrisis.
• Support aimed at SARs in Finnish academia.
• Real-life experiences and professional trajectories of SARs based in Finland.
Audiences: academics, students, representatives of UTU and of SAR Finland Section, local sections of the trade unions, and general public interested in the theme of the event.
Schedule:
9.30-10.00 Welcome coffee and registration.
10.00-10.15 Welcome from Irinja Paakkanen, Head of International Affairs, Strategic Engagement and Impact Unit, University of Turku.
10.15-11.00 Talk by Prof. Martin Cloonan, University of Turku “Putting a sticking plaster on a gaping wound: SAR work in Turku and Finland”.
11.00-12.30 Panel discussion “SARs in Universities of Finland: Real-Life Experiences and Future Trajectories” featuring SARs from Finnish Universities.
12.30-14.00 Lunch break (at own expense/covered for speakers).
14.00-15.00 Talk by Dr. Katalin Miklossy, Head of Eastern European studies, University of Helsinki “Challenges of Politically Polarized Academic Environments in Europe”.
15.00-16.00 Open discussion.
16.00-17.00 Reception in honour of Prof. Martin Cloonan, with tribute remarks by Vice Rector of the University of Turku Piia Seppänen and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities Marja-Liisa Helasvuo. Informal networking, Agora Hall.
Registration is mandatory for all participants.
Organising Committee: representatives of the SAR community at the University of Turku.