Science at Risk - Academic Collaboration in Afghanistan

Lecture

The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan has dominated headlines all over the world recently. In academic circles, the events have raised serious concern about the prospects for scientists and their work in the country. "Afghan researchers fear for their security - and the future of science" writes the renowned journal Science in its 20 August issue. The organisation Scholars at Risk has received hundreds of requests for help from researchers in Afghanistan in the past few days.

The University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology have jointly established Global Sustainable Futures to promote and support collaboration with partners in low- and middle-income countries for research, capacity-building, and education. In many countries, including Afghanistan, relationships are scarce with no, or only few, co-authored articles or other kinds of academic output.

Academic collaboration, sometimes called "science diplomacy", is generally viewed as a significant contribution to and investment in peaceful relations and opportunities for the future. In this webinar, we will discuss the situation in Afghanistan and possible ways to go for those who want to engage further with colleagues there.

Presenters:

Sari Kouvo is a senior lecturer in international law at the University of Gothenburg. She holds an associate professorship in international law and a lectureship in legal theory at Gothenburg University and was co-director of the Afghanistan Analysts Network, with several publications on Afghanistan as well as on human rights and international law.

"Laila" is based in Afghanistan and active at University of Kabul.

Register no later than 7 September 2021