The Academic Freedom Committee of the International Studies Association expresses concern for the decision taken by the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and mumok (the Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Foundation Vienna) to cancel the presentation of Dr. Walaa Alqaisiya on the basis of a complaint by the Austrian Union of Jewish Students. It views the decision as an infringement of academic freedom. For further information about ISA’s deliberative processes on academic freedom concerns and the committee’s mandate from the Governing Council, please see:
https://www.isanet.org/ISA/Governance/Committees/Academic-Freedom

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The Academic Freedom Committee (AFC) of the International Studies Association (ISA) recognizes institutional autonomy, the right of academics to establish institutions of higher learning and to govern themselves without undue external interference, as a central pillar in the safeguarding of academic freedom.

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The International Studies Association (ISA) expresses alarm over the implications of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. Our worry extends to the physical safety of academic colleagues inside of Ukraine, as well as restrictions on scholarly expression regarding the war experienced by academic colleagues inside Russia.

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The International Studies Association expresses serious concern over reports of significant barriers to prevent a seminar by Dr. Somdeep Sen at the University of Glasgow and the request to demonstrate that the presentation was not in breach of UK anti-terror legislation. Open exchange is essential to academic freedom, and external speakers should be free to give invited presentations of their research, without having to demonstrate that their research is not unlawful. 

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It is with a heavy heart that we share that Olga Vorkunova, member of the ISA Peace Studies Section’s Executive Committee, passed away suddenly on 25th October 2021 after a short illness. Dr. Vorkunova was a Senior Researcher at the Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Russian Academy of Sciences. She was also an Associate Professor of the Moscow State Linguistic University.  Dr. Vorkunova’s was an expert on ethnic conflict, early warning systems, peacebuilding, Russian-Chinese relations, and peace education. Her impressive commitment to peace was inspirational and we will miss her greatly. 

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The Academic Freedom Committee of the International Studies Association (ISA) expresses grave concern for repeated attempts by the Attorney-General of Mexico to arrest and detain 31 Mexican scientists and researchers for offences relating to the alleged misuse of funds arising from their professional involvement with the Mexican Science and Technology Council’s (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, CONACyT) Scientific Technological Advisory Forum (Foro Consultivo Científico y Tecnológico, FCCyT AC).  We note a federal judge has twice rejected the Attorney-General’s application for arrest warrants and we are troubled by the report that he may seek a warrant a third time.

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