Global rate of attacks on higher education branded ‘alarming’

NGO tracked murders and kidnapping of academics during past year far beyond major crisis zones

Those working in higher education across the globe experienced hundreds of attacks including killings and kidnappings during an “alarming” 2020-21, according to the non-governmental organisation Scholars at Risk.

Major geopolitical events such as the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban (pictured) and the military coup in Myanmar led to killings on campuses and severe crackdowns on academic freedom. But data collected by SAR suggest that attacks on staff and students also took place across a broad range of countries.