[Are We Just Hysterical? Lessons From The Rise of Authoritarianism Worldwide

Across diverse political contexts – from Iran, Turkey, Russia and beyond – universities have increasingly become strategic sites of authoritarian intervention. Through surveillance, censorship, police violence, and the criminalization of dissent, authoritarian regimes threaten academic life and silence critical voices. This roundtable creates a space for scholars at risk, displaced academics, and students to share personal and collective experiences of working, researching, and surviving under authoritarian conditions. Together, we will reflect on how democratic erosion manifests within academic institutions, how authoritarian mechanisms operate, and how we might recognize and resist the early signs of repression before they become normalized. We look forward to a conversation grounded in comparative perspectives, mutual learning, and solidarity in the face of the global rise of authoritarianism. All are welcome. Please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues, students, and anyone interested in defending academic freedom and intellectual life. We hope to see you there.

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