Craig Calhoun, President of the Social Science Research Council, has released a statement of support for Iranian scholars and researchers:
The SSRC expresses its concern for all Iranian scholars and researchers in what is clearly a difficult time. We support both the freedom of scholarship from political intervention and the right of scholars to participate openly in public discussions.
We are disturbed that in the aftermath of the widely disputed election, media that should allow open communication and discussion have been closed down. We are alarmed by reports that students have been attacked, not only when taking part in public protests but even in their dormitories. We know that many professors have risked censure by speaking out and others have stepped down from their positions in protest. We express our solidarity with them.
As an organization committed to scholarly excellence and scientific advancement since 1923, we are well aware of the ways in which political repression can impinge on academic freedom and on the ability of scholars to contribute all they can to the public good. This is an issue in many countries around the world. It is particularly sad in Iran with its rich tradition of intellectual achievement. We hope that all responsible authorities in Iran will work to make sure that scholarship is respected and that scholars have the freedom to communicate openly and without retaliation both among themselves and publicly.
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