UN & global standards on academic freedom
Webinar on international tools to advance academic freedom
Feb 2, 2026 — 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
The Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC), the Scholars at Risk (SAR) uOttawa Program and the SAR Canada Section present two webinars on the theme: International tools to advance academic freedom. These activities are organized to celebrate the Scholars at Risk (SAR) Network’s 25th anniversary and mark a quarter century of building a global movement. The University of Ottawa joined the SAR Network in 2014 and entrusted the HRREC to lead this program within our university.
UN & global standards on academic freedom
The UN and other international bodies recognize academic freedom as an independent and interdependent human right that is essential to democratic societies, scientific progress, and the public good. Although it is protected under existing human rights law, threats to this freedom are widespread and increasing globally.
Speakers
Jesse Levine
Senior Advocacy Officer, Scholars at Risk
Karly Kehoe
Professor, Department of History, Saint Mary’s University & member of the International Science Council’s standing committee on Freedom and Responsibility in Science
Salvador Herencia Carrasco
Part-time Professor, Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section, HRREC member, uOttawa & Legal Advisor, Coalition for Academic Freedom in the Americas (CAFA)
Moderator | Viviana Fernandez
Associate Director, Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC), uOttawa