Illinois Scholars at Risk come from any country around the world. They are scholars, researchers, practitioners, activists, writers, and artists at all stages of their careers who are facing severe threats to their lives, freedoms, and well-being due to their identity, work, activism, or for some other reason. They may not be able to continue their scholarly or artistic pursuits within their own countries due to political turmoil or natural disasters. For example, the 2022-2023 cohort includes scholars from five countries (Afghanistan, Ukraine, Cameroon, Guatemala, and Lebanon). 

Illinois Scholars at Risk hold advanced terminal degrees (e.g. Ph.D., MD, JD, etc.) and meet the appropriate academic standards in their respective fields. They join the Illinois Scholars at Risk Program as visiting scholars in an academic unit on campus, and engage in research, teaching, writing, professional development, and/or community outreach in their host units. 

Expertise: Illinois Scholar at Risk have expertise in a wide range of fields ranging from the arts, humanities, natural and social sciences, engineering, to law and business. For example, the 2022-2023 cohort includes scholars in physics, agricultural and biological engineering, pathobiology, biochemistry, microbiology, economics, classics, law, Jewish studies and culture, and Middle Eastern studies.

Affiliation: Illinois Scholars at Risk are typically affiliated with the Scholars at Risk (SAR) or the Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF). Scholars at risk seeking placement through the ISAR Program are strongly encouraged to contact the Scholars at Risk Network and apply for the Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund to maximize their opportunities for successful placement. 

2023-2024 ISAR Scholars