by Nathaniel Whelan
For the past two years, researchers at Carleton and the University of British Columbia (UBC) have been assisting at-risk Afghan scholars, activists, and students to establish a new intellectual community in Canada.
Through the “Placement, Preservation, and Perseverance” (PPP) project, they sought to create a human-rights based approach for the placement of incoming Afghan scholars and activists, foster new academic connections, and ensure the long-term preservation of Afghan knowledge among diaspora communities.
To support these activities, the PPP project received a $1.096 million grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in March 2022.
“IDRC funding enabled the PPP team to develop and test this new approach to receiving newcomers, conduct research on scholarly placements in Canada, engage activists, and work on bringing at-risk scholars to Canada. We are grateful for their generous and thoughtful support.”
– Dr. Melanie Adrian, Principal Investigator
As the project nears its end, we reflect on the commitment of all those involved and the significant progress that has been made.
From left to right: Dr. Shuchi Karim, Project Director, Dr. Melanie Adrian, Principal Investigator, and Rehana Hashmi, visiting at-risk activist
Wellbeing at the Heart of Placement
Since its launch, the PPP project has supported the placement of six Afghan scholars in six universities across Canada. It has also funded ten activists working on seven different projects related to various issues, including displacement narratives, child rights, gender and health, journalism, and technology.
By developing an alternate, human rights-centric approach to welcoming at-risk scholars, host institutes were encouraged to create an enabling environment of work for all participants coming from states of trauma.
“The humanistic approach has ensured a built-in care component, thus keeping the individual’s wellbeing at the forefront; at every turn, we have been mindful of the lived experiences of displacement. Socio-cultural norms, taboos, and linguistic barriers of accessing mental health support is an aspect that cannot be ignored in hosting arrangements.”
– Dr. Shuchi Karim, Project Director
This unique model acknowledges the numerous challenges of transitioning scholars and activists to Canada, and represents a comprehensive process for placement where care is at the heart of resettlement and integration.
At the institutional level, project members have observed that compassion and patient cooperation with partner universities, especially for first-time hosts, have helped scholars navigate the labyrinth of local, national, and international administrative challenges.
However, immigration pathways remain the biggest obstacle for bringing at-risk scholars to Canada. While all activist participants have been living in the country since the Afghan crisis of 2021, four of the six scholars have faced unforeseen delays caused by a complex and lengthy immigration process.
As a result, project members will engage with stakeholders to try and implement significant changes, including a faster immigration track and disentangling the web of labels that prohibit scholars from entering Canada.
Making Connections in Canada
Not all displaced scholars and activists find it easy to integrate into academic circles in a new country. To break down this barrier, the PPP project has opened doors for participants to immerse themselves in the “Canadian experience.”
“Through the project’s extensive network and outreach programs, scholars and activists have been able to connect with individuals, organizations, and other Afghan agencies/groups in diaspora that would, otherwise, be difficult to access.”
– Dr. Shuchi Karim, Project Director
These affiliations will offer participants more career, training, and higher education options, helping them thrive within the Canadian academic landscape.
One notable initiative was the April 2024 virtual pilot program “Academic Advancement and Career Alignment Certificate for New Scholars in Canada.” Launched in collaboration between SAR-Canada and SAR-Carleton, this program equipped Afghan scholars with the tools to advance in their careers and align their professional goals within the broader Canadian context.
In addition, the PPP project encourages the creation of kinship communities. Led by UBC, the Intergenerational Connections and Future (ICF) program was successful in connecting generations of Afghan scholars and students now living in Canada. Through conferences, webinars, and workshops, the ICF program drew a minimum of 125 individuals and stakeholders into its network.
“Bringing together multigenerational members of the Afghan community was one of the many joys of this project. Linking young scholars with Afghan professors and activists created opportunities for everyone to reflect in constructive ways on the past, present, and future of Afghanistan”
– Dr. Melanie Adrian, Principal Investigator
The project team has also built connections with staff across Canada working in student services (particularly with staff supporting refugee students), as well as faculty working in the fields of migration, human rights, and Central Asia.
Preserving Afghan Knowledge
The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan resulted in a mass exodus of academics and intellectuals, profoundly impacting the country’s higher education sector and its future development.
By mapping the displacement of Afghanistan’s knowledge networks in exile and capturing the intellectual currents among these scholars, project partners have worked to identify pathways for local and international initiatives to reconnect and mobilize.
The PPP project is also designed to support the creation of research conducted by displaced individuals and fostering the emergence of a new generation of internationally trained Afghan scholars.
From the outset, the project has thrived by embracing diversity in its participants to ensure a wide range of disciplines, gender, and ethnic backgrounds are represented, thereby incorporating an array of lived experiences and perspectives.
Furthermore, Afghan scholars in Canada seeking to publish their work in academic journals had the opportunity to apply for the Academic Advancement Grant, a writing and publication workshop that included $5,000 in financial support, free enrolment in the “Career Alignment Certificate” program, and personalized in-person mentoring from UBC.
Lastly, the PPP project has raised general awareness about displacement, migration, and integration across the country through various advocacy activities. These efforts have encouraged educational institutions and other stakeholders to engage meaningfully with global crises and threats to academic freedom.
Looking Towards the Future
The models implemented through the PPP project will contribute to the development of a more sustainable hosting system in Canadian higher education. It demonstrates how universities, even with limited resources, can create complimentary channels to support at-risk scholars and activists.
“When this project ends, we are confident that our experiences in problem-solution approaches and adaptations will have a long-term impact on how universities organize their at-risk scholar/activist programs in the future.”
– Dr. Shuchi Karim, Project Director
With proposals to support Ukrainian scholars and other student refugee communities already in development, the connections built through this project with Carleton’s partners at UBC have already created a longer-lasting legacy than initially anticipated.
As “Placement, Preservation, and Perseverance” comes to an end this September, we extend our best wishes to everyone involved as they move forward with new and exciting initiatives inspired by the work of the past two years.