Springer Nature to support fellowship awards for at-risk academics
London | New York | Berlin, 15 December 2021
Springer Nature will fund three fellowship awards with the Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara), building on more than €3 million in donations and sponsorships from Springer Nature to charities and non-profit organisations since 2017, the publisher has announced.
The Springer Nature-Cara Fellowship Awards will support academics who have been unable to continue their work or studies in their home countries due to conflict, violence or other threats.
Cara’s work began in 1933, when academics and scientists came together to rescue colleagues in Germany from Nazi persecution. The charity provides financial support to some of the most highly-trained people from some of the world’s most dangerous places, helping them to find a safe place where they can live and work, with their families, and further develop their advanced skills, until they can return home to help rebuild better, safer, societies. Many of those rescued in the charity’s history have gone on to achieve great distinction, including sixteen Nobel Prize Winners. In the past year, the need for this sort of support has been particularly under the spotlight from academics who have had to flee Afghanistan, as well as ongoing conflicts in Syria and Yemen.
Commenting on the new partnership, Joyce Lorigan, Global Head of Corporate Affairs said:
“At Springer Nature, we want to support the researchers and educators with whom we work and by partnering with Cara we hope to make a tangible, positive impact on the lives of academics who have experienced the most serious threats and challenges. We are delighted to announce the Springer Nature-Cara Fellowship Awards.
“Our vision is to enable access to equitable quality education and science through both our support for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and by championing diversity, equity and inclusion in our communities. We know there is power in what we publish, but we also believe in using charitable donations to support causes that align with these aims and Cara is undoubtedly an organisation that embodies our values. We hope that this new partnership will resonate with our colleagues, editors, authors and peers around the world too.”
Stephen Wordsworth, Executive Director of Cara, said:
“I’m thrilled to announce this new partnership with Springer Nature. Without the support of our partners, including now this great new Award scheme from Springer Nature, the academics we work with would have few if any other options. In many cases, their academic lives would be over; and in some cases at least, their freedom and even physical lives as well. Instead, they are safe. Unfortunately, our work will continue to be needed over the next three years, possibly even more urgent. As the world looks to Afghanistan in particular, there will be plenty more to do. However I am confident with initiatives like the Springer Nature-Cara Fellowship Awards, we will be able to help many more academics.”
-ENDS-
