Since 1933, Cara has been a lifeline for academics at risk worldwide. Today, 135 UK universities and research institutes offer places for those needing to escape along with funding to support Cara’s crucial work.
In recent years, Cara’s Fellowship Programme has seen an almost 400% increase in appeals for help, driven by crises in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Sudan, and, most recently, Gaza/Palestine. In 2023, over 220 Cara Fellows were placed in institutions across the UK.
Loughborough University’s relationship with Cara allows us to offer sanctuary and support to academics from around the world. One of our most impactful initiatives has been the funding of Research Fellows who collaborate with our academics on significant research challenges of mutual interest.
These collaborations often lead to joint funding applications, allowing us to sustain these valuable relationships and provide a safe, productive environment where at-risk academics can thrive and expand their networks.
Our relationship with Cara is central to our strategic focus on fostering Vibrant and Inclusive Communities and to our vision of becoming a University of Sanctuary. We are committed to enhancing our capacity to support at-risk academics and expanding related activities at Loughborough.
The event takes place from 2.30pm-4.30pm at the University Stadium and will include:
- A welcome from the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Jennings CB, FREng, FR
- An outline of what Cara does today by Zeid Al-Bayaty, Cara’s Fellowship Programme Manager and Deputy Director
- A Cara Fellow at Loughborough will speak about their experiences
- Discussion on the efforts to expand Cara’s fundraising base, to ensure its long-term sustainability with Chris Goldie, Cara’s fundraising consultant
- An opportunity to find out more about student networks and Universities of Sanctuary
- Time to network and ask questions