Scholars at Risk is an international network of higher education institutions and individuals working together to protect scholars and promote academic freedom.Since its launch in 2000, the Scholars at Risk Network has grown through deep commitment and collaboration into a powerful collective voice, now comprising 600+ institutions in 45+ countries worldwide, including universities, academic associations, non-governmental organizations, and education unions As it marks its 25th anniversary amid uncertainty in higher education in many country worldwide, it calls for renewed dedication to the movement for academic freedom, reaffirming that the principle that Truth Matters remains central to its mission and to the purpose of higher education. Aristotle University, as a founding member and Chair of the Scholars at Risk national Section (SAR Greece) -which was established in October 2021 in Thessaloniki-, fully shares the central view of the SAR network that excellence in research depends upon open scientific debate, multiplicity of ideas and perspectives. When researchers are at risk, and excluded from participating in the global research circuit, whether due to discrimination, persecution, suffering or violence, not only are individual lives and careers at risk; the quality, the very future of research is also at stake. This commitment, also, fully aligns with the Magna Carta Universitatum (MCU 2020) that stands as a defining document for Higher Education globally, serving to uphold the fundamental values of the university tradition, specifically academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and the inseparable link between teaching and research. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki participated in the anniversary events of the Magna Charta Observatory in 2025, reaffirming its dedication to these principles and further strengthening its position within the international network of higher education institutions. In the last years AUTh has been playing a central role in national and European-level efforts on protection of academic freedom and support of at-risk scholars with awareness-raising events, engagement with policymakers and European academic networks, collaborations in Southeastern Europe and active support of scholars through placements, mentoring, and advocacy.
Academic Freedom: Challenges, Responsibilities, and the Importance of Active Protection-Truth Matters
Who the
Speakers are:
Speaker
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Alexandros TriantafyllidisProfessor of Animal Population Genetics, School of Biology, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiBiologist with PhD studies on “Population genetics of animal organisms”. Academic member of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece since 2003 and vice deputy chair of the School of Biology since 2025. He has published >100 scientific papers in international peer-reviewed journals (H-index =26). He has followed sabbatical studies on bioinformatics in Katholieke Universitet Leuven (2010) and University of Oxford (2019-2020). He has collaborated with Greek and European researchers in National and EU projects on food traceability and biodiversity conservation of Greek animal species using genetic and genomic tools. He has been a member of School of Biology and Aristotle University Committees on Programmes of Studies, Evaluation, Accreditation, Erasmus, ECTS and international mobility and affairs. Since 2019, he represents an interdisciplinary team of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in the program (H2020-MSCA) INSPIREUROPE-“Initiative To Support, Promote, And Integrate Researchers@Risk In Europe” and since 2020, he is the Chair of the network of Greek Universities supporting threatened Academics and Researchers. Also, by the decision of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Senate 3158/19-3-2025, he is Institutionally Responsible for the acquisition of the “Human Resources Strategy for Researchers” (HRS4R) logo by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.