Scholars at Risk-programmet ved OsloMet - Ansatt

Scholars at Risk-program at Oslo Metropolitan University

Scholars at Risk-program at Oslo Metropolitan University

The international network Scholars at Risk works to protect threatened scholars and promotes academic freedom and human rights globally.

Oslo Metropolitan University is a member of the international network Scholars at Risk, that works to protect threatened scholars and promotes academic freedom and human rights globally. Through the SAR-program Oslo Metropolitan University offers a safe and inclusive scientific environment to researchers who no longer can perform their work in their home country due to war, persecution or other threats. 

Oslo Metropolitan University has been a member of SAR since 2009. It hosted the launch of SAR Norway in 2011 and was the coordinating institution for the network until 2014. In other words, Oslo Metropolitan University had a leading role both in establishing the SAR Norway network and managing it in the early phase. 

The SAR International network is comprised of over 600 universities and institutions in more than 45 countries. The SAR network conducts its work through political advocacy, information campaigns, advisory and legal assistance and by offering temporary research and teaching positions to researchers who are in danger in their home country. SAR Norway is a network of over 20 Norwegian higher education institutions, research institutes, in addition to SAIH (Norwegian Students' and Academics' International Assistance Fund) og UHR (Universities Norway) working jointly to protect threatened researchers and promote academic freedom. 

SAR-program at Oslo Metropolitan University

Oslo Metropolitan University has a dedicated SAR program offering temporary positions to threatened researchers. The program is embedded in the university leadership and academic community, and the goal is to give scholars both professional and social support during their stay. 

Routines

  1. Nomination and selection:
    • The SAR-committee includes the Pro-rector for research and development, the Director of the research and development department (R&D), a representative from the R&D department and HR-department.
    • The committee has the responsibility for selecting candidates and for strategic assessments. 
    • The SAR-committee assesses suggestions for candidates from SAR International, SAR Norway and its member institutions, from the academic community at Oslo Metropolitan University and from candidates directly. Suggestions have also come from IIE-SRF (Institute of International Education-Scholar Rescue Fund). 
    • The Department of research and development prepares a prioritized list of candidates for the SAR-committee to assess.
  2. Hosting:
    • Relevant academic departments and institutes are contacted by the R&D department to explore an interest in hosting a scholar. 
    • When hosting is clarified, the employment process begins. 
  3. Employment and onboarding:
    • The faculties and centers have the responsibility to prepare a contract of employment according to the period decided upon by the SAR-committee. 
    • OsloMet International Staff Services (OMISS) assist faculties and centers with practical onboarding services. The costs for relocation services and background checks are covered by the recruiting unit (faculty, department, institute, center). 
    • SAR-candidates follow the routines for security assessments as part of the procedures for recruitment and onboarding. 
  4. Finances and support: 
    • The Department of research and development covers the costs for immigration and residence-/workpermits in addition to the salary, while other costs are covered by the host institute.
    • The scholar receives a salary which covers travel and housing, unless other agreements have been made.
      The Department of finance assists faculties and centers with salary payments.
    • Salary level and position code are decided upon by the host institute and depend on the scholar’s qualifications.
    • The faculties and centers have the responsibility to cover costs related to office space, IT-equipment, cellphone, courses etc.  
  5. Termination of employment and further possibilities:   
    • SAR scholars are employed for one year at a time with the possibility for one year’s extension. Six months before the contract ends an extension or transfer to another host institution is assessed. The Department of research and development contacts the host faculty/center.
    • In case there is a mutual wish to extend the SAR period with one year, the case is handled by the Director of research and development. 
    • When it is not possible to extend the SAR-period further, the Department of research and development checks with other member institutions of SAR Norway, thereafter with SAR International for possible transfer to other institutions in or outside of Norway. 
    • Faculties/centers and scholars should also seek project funding and/or use their professional networks to explore other possibilities.
    • The scholar can also seek employment through open announcements in the public and private sectors.  

Contact

Institutional contact person: Senior adviser Tanja Strøm, Department of Research and development, e-mail: tanjast@oslomet.no 

Relevant links