The Scholars at Risk Committee at the University of Chicago was established by Provost Ka Yee C. Lee in 2022.
 
Charge
The Scholars at Risk Committee is appointed by the Provost and is tasked with making recommendations to the Provost regarding possible actions, including appointments, to support scholars at risk who are “suffering grave threats to their lives, liberty, and well-being,” whether those scholars are identified by the Scholars At Risk network or independently. The Committee shall review the details of individual cases as needed and is empowered to work with deans of Divisions and Schools at the University to assist them in their making appropriate appointment recommendations for temporary research and teaching positions. The Committee may also make referrals to Scholars At Risk for their consideration. 
 
Membership 
The Provost will appoint the members of the committee upon invitation, and a chair to the committee. A member of the Office of the Provost will serve ex officio. The number of members of the committee may vary but, including the ex officio member, will initially be four. 
 
Terms of Service 
An appointment to the committee is typically for a three (3) year term, with extensions possible.
 
Committee Members, appointed in 2022
  • Kathleen Cavanaugh, Committee Chair, Pozen Family Center for Human Rights
  • Christopher Blattman, Harris School
  • Aziz Huq, Law School
  • Jason Merchant, ex officio, Office of the Provost, and Humanities Division
 
To contact the Committee, please email scholarsatrisk@uchicago.edu.