Discussion on academics in Iraq

UCL will be teaming up with the Council for Assisting Refugee Academics (CARA) to host a discussion on 'The Plight of Academics in Iraq' on Wednesday 29 November.

The event will begin at 6pm in the Chemistry Auditorium, in the Christopher Ingold Building on Gordon Street.

Taking part in the discussion will be: Professor Michael Worton, UCL Vice Provost (Academic & International); Mrs Anne Mary Lonsdale, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University; Dr John Withrington, Chair of the British Universities Iraq Consortium; Dr Roger Matthews of the UCL Institute of Archaeology; and Dr John Ashworth, President of CARA.

CARA is the present-day incarnation of the Society for Protection of Science and Learning (SPSL), which was first known as the Academic Assistance Council (AAC). The AAC was founded by William Beveridge and other leading academics in 1933 to aid academics fleeing fascism in Europe.

Currently, one of CARA's key areas of focus is helping people who were lecturers or researchers in their home countries to gain appropriate qualifications to continue their careers in the UK. In November 2005, CARA joined forces with Scholars at Risk, an alliance of universities that campaigns for scholars' rights around the world, to form the UK Universities Network. The network aims to provide lectureships, research and postgraduate opportunities, and to enhance awareness of the contributions made by refugee academics to society.

The discussion on 29 November is open to UCL students and staff. For information, email CARA.

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• Link:
• Council for Assisting Refugee Academics