Forced Migration of Scholars to Europe: Perceiving Exile Scholars as a Diverse and Heterogeneous Group

In recent years, socio-political changes have significantly impacted the global academic environment, with increasing threats to academic freedom from authoritarian regimes, new wars, and anti-democratic forces. This has forced many scholars into exile to Europe, particularly after 2015. This chapter presents findings from two research projects “In-formal Opportunities and Restrictions in German Universities Reflected in the Experiences of Exiled Scholars,” funded by the Volkswagen Stiftung and “the Inclusion of Refugee/Exile Scientists/Scholars into Academic Labor Markets/ Support Networks and Biographical Experiences in a Three-Country Comparison” funded by Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg, Germany. Through interviews with scholars from various countries and experts from higher education institutions in Germany, France and the UK, these studies highlight the diverse backgrounds and risks faced by these scholars, as well as the challenges they encounter in advancing their academic careers in Europe. The present chapter examines sociological and academic profıles of the scholars who have immigrated to Germany, France and the UK after the Syrian war, with the aim of explicating their diverse backgrounds as opposed to the reductionist humanitarian approach that is dominant in academic circles and the public view.