2011 Scholars at Risk Internships
About Scholars at Risk (SAR):
Scholars at Risk is an international network of universities and colleges working to promote academic freedom and defend the human rights of scholars worldwide. SAR provides direct assistance to threatened scholars, organizing public awareness and capacity-building activities, and undertakes research and advocacy to improve academic freedom conditions worldwide.
About SAR internships:
Internships will be based at Scholars at Risk’s New York University office, and interns will report directly to the director and the senior program officer. SAR internships are unpaid. Scholars at Risk will work with interns to comply with the requirements of any stipend or internship-for-credit program at their institution. Application deadline for summer consideration: April 1, 2011.
General qualifications:
Candidates must be able to assume significant responsibility. Excellent communication, organization and writing skills required. Proficiency in Microsoft office programs required. Interest or experience in international affairs, human rights advocacy, NGO or non-profit organization/management preferred. Graduate students preferred but qualified undergraduates are welcome to apply. Foreign language skills preferred but not required. SAR prioritizes candidates from network member universities and colleges (Member list available at: http://scholarsatrisk.nyu.edu/Beta/Membership/Member_Directory.php).
How to apply?
Interested candidates are invited to send a copy of their resume and cover letter to scholarsatrisk@nyu.edu by April 1, 2011. Please describe why you are a strong candidate and what aspect of our work is most compelling to you (direct assistance to scholars, human rights research and advocacy, outreach and capacity-building, i.e. building partners with institutions abroad; legal/international standards building).
Case Officer
Assume primary responsibility for SAR advocacy on behalf of threatened and imprisoned scholars still in their home countries. Monitor primary sources (media, internet, ngos, etc.) for reports of threats to scholars, students & universities. Evaluate case and report to SAR staff. When appropriate, prepare alerts and updates for SAR members and SAR website. Draft letters for SAR board and models for SAR members/public. Consider other strategies, including editorials, public awareness activities, etc., as may be warranted. Collaborate on end-of-year summary report.
Legal Researcher
With supervision from SAR director, undertake research and writing on international standards for protection of academic freedom. Research and writing will support publications by SAR advocating for more clear standards. Intern may also research and prepare paperwork to seek consultative status with the UN as a registered NGO. Work on other special projects as appropriate, including processing academic freedom survey results and preparing the 2007 survey report.
Outreach and Special Projects Officer
Assist SAR staff to research and to organize new partnerships with universities and colleges worldwide, including Canada, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Assist to strategize and coordinate post-conference faculty working groups on Students at Risk, Writers/Journalists and Right to Travel. Plan and organize special projects associated with those working groups.
For more information, visit: http://scholarsatrisk.nyu.edu