By Catherine Abbott, M.P.S.
Thousands of scientists have been displaced around the world in recent years, including from Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Afghanistan.1 Many of these refugees halted their research to seek refuge.
The Council for At Rick Academics (Cara), based in the UK, “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.”2 Through this program, researchers can seek help to further their learning and science for the betterment of society and to provide for themselves and their families.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in September 2021,3 research has effectively stalled and many researchers are looking for international support to continue their efforts.4 Cara has received more than 700 applications from at-risk Afghans in the past five months.5 Similarly, Cara’s Syria Programme has been underway since 2016, with approx. 200 academics actively engaged.6
AAPS’ journal and book publishing partner, Springer Nature, has teamed with Cara to fund three fellowship awards to support academics who cannot continue their work in their home countries.
If you know a scientist who needs help, they can apply here.
References
- Gewin V. How three refugee scientists kept their research hopes alive. Nature. 19 October 2021.
- What We Do. Cara. Accessed 18 January 2022.
- Maizland L. The Taliban in Afghanistan. Council on Foreign Relations. 15 September 2021.
- Mallapaty S. Afghanistan’s academic despair months after Taliban takeover. Nature News. 17 December 2021.
- Afghanistan - Update as of 21 January 2022. Accessed 26 January 2022.
- Robertson K. Investing in Syria’s Intellectual Capital: Creating Pathways to the Future. Cara Annual Report | 2020-21. Accessed: 26 January 2022.