Dear EASA members, we are witnessing concerning developments across the world with increasing attacks on academics, including unlawful detentions, visa revocations, violent repression of student protests, and dramatic budget cuts to higher learning institutions. Many of our members are being directly or indirectly affected by these challenges.
I recognize that many of you are working diligently to maintain our universities and institutions as critical, welcoming spaces of learning in the face of these difficulties. Too often, these efforts are met with institutional racism, censorship, and indifference.
As the President of EASA and Executive Liaison to the EASA Working Group on Human Rights and Academic Freedom, I would like to invite you all to an online community check-in on May 23, 12:00-13:00 PM (CET). This will be an informal gathering open to any EASA member who wishes to raise concerns, share their experiences, or simply connect with fellow anthropologists in a safe and open environment.
Members of our working group, along with several EASA Executive Committee representatives, will be present to hear your concerns and feedback. I would also like to remind you that our working group has distributed an Academic Freedom Violation Report Form, which you can submit either with your name or anonymously, according to your preference.
Link to the Zoom event will be sent to the members via email,
past EASA members whose membership lapsed and who wish to participate are advised to renew their membership prior to the event.
I look forward to seeing many of you at our community check-in on May 23.
Warm regards,
Dr. Hayal Akarsu