This final report distills policy-relevant lessons from three interrelated initiatives led by Carleton University with support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC): (1) Placement, Preservation and Perseverance Project: Afghan At-Risk Scholars, Activists and Students (PPP, 2022-2024), (2) the Academic Advancement and Career Alignment course (AACA, 2024 and 2025), and (3) The Safe Havens and Knowledge Networks in Canada Conference (May 22-23, 2025).
This report informs federal and provincial policymakers, universities, and national networks on scalable approaches to
supporting scholars at risk by establishing a coordinated national program in Canada. Herein, at-risk and displaced scholars refers to displaced scholars, students and human rights defenders, and and may include academics, researchers, artists, journalists,
scientists, and other professionals with significant expertise in their field. Due to safety and security concerns, some of these participants cannot be named in the report.
