Academic Freedom Forum Day 2 – Wednesday, 11 June 2026

Qu(e)ering Academic Freedom – Perspectives from Iran, South Africa, Uganda and Germany

Chair: Dr. Stella Nyanzi, PSI Fellow, Ruhr University Bochum

Speakers:
Prof. Dr. Zintombizethu (zethu) Matebeni (Visiting Professor, Centre for Women & Gender Studies, Nelson Mandela University), Dr. Mitra Shamsi (Centre for Advanced Internet Studies), Prof. Dr. Julia Bee (Chair Gender Media Studies, RUB)

Parallel Thematic Working Group Sessions
Different Formats: Workshops, WorldCafe, Fishbowl Discussions etc.

WG 1a) Academic Freedom as a Driver of Sustainable Development? Regional Perspectives on the Roles of Academia (Part I, by invitation only)
Chair: Dr Maximilian Schell (Ruhr University Bochum & PI WUN RDF Project Academic Freedom as a Driver of Sustainable Development? Regional Perspectives on the Roles of Academia) (by invitation only)

WG 1b): Diaspora (Dis-)Connected Academy: Challenges, Opportunities and Impact of Transnational Academic Citizenship (by invitation only)
Chairs: Dr. Olena Zinenko (Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict, Ruhr University Bochum) & Dr. Tetiana Gorokhova (Research Associate, Center for Advanced Internet Studies)

WG 1c) Re-imagining Global Engagement in a Fragmented and Volatile World: Towards Academic Freedom, Solidarity, and Responsibility (Part I)
(by invitation only)
Chairs: Iris Vernekohl & Monika Sprung (Ruhr University Bochum & Utrecht Network Task Force „Responsible Internationalization and Global Engagement“)
Impulse Note: Dr. Samia Chasi (Head: Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships, University of Witwatersrand), Rene Teunissen (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

WG 2a) Academic Freedom as a Driver of Sustainable Development? Regional Perspectives on the Roles of Academia (Part II, by invitation only)
Chair: Dr Maximilian Schell (Ruhr University Bochum & PI WUN RDF Project Academic Freedom as a Driver of Sustainable Development? Regional Perspectives on the Roles of Academia) (by invitation only)

WG 2b) Trauma-Informed Approaches to Supporting Scholars at Risk (and Their Mentors): Building Resilience and Wellbeing in Exile (by invitation only)
Chair: Dr. Tetiana Gorokhova (Research Associate, Center for Advanced Internet Studies)

WG 2c): Re-imagining Global Engagement in a Fragmented and Volatile World: Promoting Academic Freedom, Solidarity, and Responsibility (Part II, by invitation only)
Chair(s): Iris Vernekohl & Monika Sprung (Ruhr University Bochum & Utrecht Network Task Force „Responsible Internationalization and Global Engagement“)

Garden of Sanctuary Walk & Solidarity Picnic | RUB Botanical Gardens
Student Advocacy Event (Exhibition/Performances) in RUB Botanical Garden as part of SAR Advocacy Seminar 2026, together with Prof. Adam Braver (SAR Network), Students/Scholars in Exile