Academic Solidarity e.V.

Racial and ethnic discrimination in academic settings not only hampers student well-being but also severely impacts their academic outcomes. A growing body of research underscores how pervasive this issue is across global educational landscapes, including notable developed democracies where one might expect a higher standard of equity and inclusion.

Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses, such as the study by Civitillo, Mayer, and Jugert published in the Journal of Educational Psychology, reveal that students perceive significant racial and ethnic discrimination from educators, with measurable negative effects on both psychological well-being and academic performance. The study, which synthesized data from 68 research studies, highlights a critical need for policy changes and intervention at educational institutions to combat these deeply ingrained issues.

The phenomenon isn’t confined to the U.S.; across Europe and other parts of the world, similar patterns of discrimination echo through educational corridors. Discrimination by teachers significantly correlates with lower well-being and academic achievements among students, manifesting in higher substance use and lower GPA scores.

Adding to the discourse, Milkman, Akinola, and Chugh through their field experiments in the Journal of Applied Psychology, illustrate how even before formal academic processes begin, racial and gender biases significantly shape the academic pathways of potential students, particularly those from minority backgrounds. This pre-entry discrimination sets a concerning stage for continuous and systemic racial bias that affects not just students but also faculty recruitment and retention.

In light of these findings, it is paramount for academic institutions to bolster efforts toward creating a more inclusive environment. This includes revising teacher training programs to incorporate anti-racist pedagogies and developing more robust support systems for racially and ethnically diverse students. Additionally, universities must actively work towards increasing the representation of minority faculties, which has shown potential in mitigating racial biases and enhancing academic outcomes for minority students.

As political tides shift globally towards more conservative and exclusionary practices, the academic sector must renew its commitment to solidarity, inclusivity, and diversity. This is essential not only for the enrichment of academic environments but also as a fundamental stand against the broader societal currents of discrimination and inequality.

In a collaborative study by Technical University Munich (TUM) and Augsburg University, a comprehensive analysis was conducted on Turkish health professionals who have migrated to various countries around the world. The outcomes of this study are encapsulated in a Kindle book entitled “Voices in Exile: Healthcare Workers’ Journeys from Turkey to the World,” which details the motivations, experiences, and expectations of 513 healthcare professionals (https://a.co/d/aE1lWza).

“After crossing the river, I heard the last call to prayer from the city. Leaving Turkey was not a choice but a necessity to stay healthy. We hid for two nights, avoiding soldiers, then came the arrest and camp process. After days, I finally washed with tap water, which felt like a luxury. In the camp, bedbug bites caused huge swellings on my legs, and we stayed in a container with 10-11 people. Everybody had a different story, but our resentment and hopes were the same.”

This publication serves as a crucial platform for the voices of these professionals, illuminating the diverse and often challenging paths they navigate in their new countries. It highlights not just their personal journeys but also the significant role academic solidarity plays in supporting these migrant scientists and healthcare workers.

The phenomenon of brain drain, exacerbated by political instability and oppression in their home countries, poses a global challenge as countries lose their educated and skilled workforce. This makes it imperative for host countries and academic institutions to forge robust support systems and integration programs. Effective measures might include offering language support, recognizing professional qualifications, and facilitating community integration to ensure that these professionals can effectively contribute to and thrive in their new settings.

The situation underscores the need for a renewed commitment to academic solidarity. Universities and professional networks are called upon to actively support displaced academics and health professionals, thereby upholding the ideals of academic freedom and fostering a more inclusive and resilient global scientific community.

On August 27, 2024, a knife attack occurred in Solingen that deeply shocked German society. The suspected perpetrator, a Syrian immigrant, was arrested by police near the crime scene after behaving suspiciously. This event has reignited discussions about the integration of immigrants in Germany.

It is crucial to emphasize in this discussion that many migrants who come to Germany are highly qualified academics who make significant contributions to German society. Statistics show that a significant number of people who have immigrated to Germany have academic degrees. This group also includes health professionals, engineers and scientists who are often no longer able to work in their home countries for political or economic reasons.

An example of the positive integration of this group is the book “Voices in Exile: Healthcare Workers’ Journeys from Turkey to the World” (https://a.co/d/5yHJLXk), which documents the stories of 513 immigrant healthcare workers who are now making a valuable contribution around the world.

Associations founded by immigrants, such as Academic Solidarity e.V., must condemn in the strongest possible terms any form of terror and violence. Such acts of terror contradict the basic values ​​of humanity and academic solidarity that such associations promote.

The tragic events such as the attack in Solingen should not obscure the fact that the vast majority of immigrants, including many academics, are looking for security and better living conditions and are ready to make a positive contribution in their new homeland. It remains a social and political challenge to recognize and promote this potential.

Knowledge should know no borders, and academic communities worldwide must stand together in solidarity with at-risk scholars. In response to the increasing challenges faced by scholars in conflict zones, several organizations have dedicated their efforts to providing support and safe havens. Here we summarize a list of the most well-known organizations in this regard:

Scholars at Risk (SAR) (https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/): An international network that provides sanctuary and advocates for academic freedom, SAR assists scholars facing grave threats by arranging temporary research and teaching positions within its network of institutions.

Scholar Rescue Fund (SRF) (https://www.scholarrescuefund.org/): This program offers fellowships to academics under threat, facilitating temporary academic positions at partnering institutions worldwide, allowing scholars to continue their work in safety.

Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA) (https://www.cara.ngo/): Since 1933, CARA has been providing urgent support to academics in danger, offering financial aid, legal advice, and placement assistance.

The Institute of International Education’s Artist Protection Fund (APF) (https://www.iie.org/programs/artist-protection-fund/): Though primarily focused on artists, this fund also supports scholars in the arts, helping them to escape from harm and continue their work in safe environments.

Baden-Württemberg Fund for Persecuted Scholars (https://www.bwstiftung.de/de/programm/baden-wuerttemberg-fonds-fuer-verfolgte-wissenschaftler): Provides financial support to highly qualified scientists who are at risk or have already fled, offering placements in German universities and research institutions.

The New University in Exile Consortium (https://newuniversityinexileconsortium.org/): An initiative of The New School in New York City, this consortium is a growing group of universities and colleges committed to hosting and supporting at-risk scholars.

Institute of International Education (IIE) (https://www.iie.org/): IIE supports more than 29,000 people in 180 countries each year through the programs they administer, helping to educate the next generation of leaders and serving as a lifeline to the world’s most imperiled students, scholars, and artists.

In a shocking revelation, Richard Eckert, a former department chair at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, has been found guilty of fabricating data in 13 research papers, all supported by significant grants from the National Institutes of Health totaling over $19 million. This misconduct, uncovered by the U.S. Office of Research Integrity, highlights a systemic problem within academic research where the allure of funding and publication prestige can lead to ethical breaches (https://retractionwatch.com/2024/08/13/former-maryland-dept-chair-with-19-million-in-grants-faked-data-in-13-papers-feds-say/).

Eckert manipulated images and data to falsely represent experimental results, seriously calling into question the reliability of his findings, which have been cited nearly 500 times. This breach of trust not only jeopardizes the integrity of scientific publications but also has a profound impact on public trust in scientific research.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the themes discussed in our previous article on the rising trend of fraudulent publications, stressing that scientists must be trustable and that mechanisms to control fraud will never be entirely sufficient (https://academicsolidarity.com/en/rising-trend-of-fraudulent-publications-undermines-academic-integrity/). As academic misconduct continues to surface, it becomes clear that the existing checks and balances are inadequate to fully safeguard the sanctity of scholarly communication.

The broader implications are enormous, affecting not just the scientific community but society at large, as public funds are wasted and potentially beneficial research is discredited. The academic community must enhance transparency and accountability measures, ensuring that the pursuit of knowledge remains untainted by misconduct. This incident reinforces the necessity for rigorous oversight and stricter enforcement of ethical standards in research.

In a disturbing revelation, Laura Schaefer, a professor of mechanical engineering at Rice University, discovered her name falsely attributed to four scientific papers in areas unrelated to her expertise (https://retractionwatch.com/2024/08/09/violated-engineering-professor-found-her-name-on-four-papers-she-didnt-write/#more-129786). This incident, unveiled while updating her ORCID profile, exemplifies the broader issue of fraudulent authorship plaguing academic publishing.

A recent study estimated that fraudulent publications have increased by over 300% in the past decade, pointing to a significant integrity crisis in academia (https://theweek.com/science/rise-of-fake-science-fraudulent-papers). The problem is exacerbated by predatory publishers, whose journals are often absent from recognized scientific indexes like Clarivate’s Web of Science. Such publishers exploit the academic pressure to publish, leading to a surge in dubious articles that compromise the quality of scholarly communication.

In Schaefer’s case, the papers were published by AnaPub, a Kenyan publisher not recognized by major indexes. Despite Schaefer’s demands for removal of the articles and an acknowledgment of the error, AnaPub’s response was insufficient, falsely claiming another individual under her name as the author.

This incident reflects a concerning trend where an estimated 15,000 fake articles are published annually, as noted by a 2021 report (https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1912444117). These cases not only mislead readers but also damage the reputations of established academics unknowingly involved.

To safeguard against fraudulent publications and ensure academic integrity, researchers can utilize various reliable resources designed to verify the credibility of journals. The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ – https://doaj.org/)  provides a comprehensive list of open access, peer-reviewed journals that adhere to high-quality standards. The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE – https://publicationethics.org/) offers guidance on publication ethics and misconduct handling. For those wary of predatory publishers, Beall’s List and its successors (https://beallslist.net/) serve as a vital tool for identifying suspect journals. Additionally, databases like Scopus (https://www.scopus.com/) and Clarivate Analytics’ Journal Citation Reports (https://clarivate.com/products/scientific-and-academic-research/research-analytics-evaluation-and-management-solutions/journal-citation-reports/) offer detailed analyses of journal impact and credibility, while PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) ensures inclusion of journals that meet rigorous publishing standards. Utilizing these resources helps researchers and academics avoid dubious publications and contributes to maintaining the sanctity of scholarly communication.

This incident reflects a concerning trend where an estimated 15,000 fake articles are published annually, as noted by a 2021 report (https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1912444117). These cases not only mislead readers but also damage the reputations of established academics unknowingly involved. To safeguard against fraudulent publications and ensure academic integrity, researchers can utilize various reliable resources designed to verify the credibility of journals. The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ – https://doaj.org/)  provides a comprehensive list of open access, peer-reviewed journals that adhere to high-quality standards. The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE – https://publicationethics.org/) offers guidance on publication ethics and misconduct handling. For those wary of predatory publishers, Beall’s List and its successors (https://beallslist.net/) serve as a vital tool for identifying suspect journals. Additionally, databases like Scopus (https://www.scopus.com/) and Clarivate Analytics’ Journal Citation Reports (https://clarivate.com/products/scientific-and-academic-research/research-analytics-evaluation-and-management-solutions/journal-citation-reports/) offer detailed analyses of journal impact and credibility, while PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) ensures inclusion of journals that meet rigorous publishing standards. Utilizing these resources helps researchers and academics avoid dubious publications and contributes to maintaining the sanctity of scholarly communication.

Building on groundbreaking research, a new Lancet report details how nearly half of global dementia cases could be either prevented or delayed by addressing 14 key risk factors throughout one’s life. Unveiled at the Alzheimer’s Association international conference, this report champions a proactive approach to dementia, advocating for lifestyle adjustments and public health interventions as potential game-changers in the battle against this debilitating disease.

The Lancet’s recommendations include:

• Education and Cognitive Activities: Ensure high-quality education is available for all and encourage cognitively stimulating activities in midlife to protect cognition.
• Hearing Protection: Make hearing aids accessible for people with hearing loss and decrease harmful noise exposure.
• Depression Treatment: Treat depression effectively.
• Head Protection: Encourage the use of helmets in contact sports and on bicycles.
• Physical Activity: Encourage exercise, as those who participate are less likely to develop dementia.
• Smoking Reduction: Reduce cigarette smoking through education, price control, and smoking cessation programs.
• Hypertension Management: Prevent or reduce hypertension, maintaining systolic blood pressure of 130 mm Hg or less from age 40.
• Cholesterol Management: Detect and treat high LDL cholesterol from midlife.
• Weight Management: Maintain a healthy weight and treat obesity early to also help prevent diabetes.
• Alcohol Consumption: Reduce high alcohol consumption through price control and awareness.
• Community Support: Prioritize age-friendly and supportive community environments and housing to reduce social isolation.
• Vision Health: Make screening and treatment for vision loss accessible for all.
• Air Pollution: Reduce exposure to air pollution.

These steps, from enhancing education to reducing exposure to pollutants, underscore a holistic approach to dementia prevention. Implementing these recommendations could lead to significant public health savings and improve the quality of life for millions worldwide, reducing the societal and economic burdens as the global population ages.

Still to be noted is the genetical load. The Lancet report suggests that addressing the listed modifiable risk factors could prevent or delay about 45% of dementia cases. Thus, more than half of dementia cases might be influenced by factors not addressed in these recommendations, including genetics. The report: https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(24)01296-0.pdf

On July 15, 2016, a coup attempt in Turkey was followed by a series of controversial practices adopted by the government to consolidate its authority. During this period, 2,217,572 unlawful terror investigations were launched, and legal actions were taken against 705,172 individuals. While investigations are still ongoing for 61,796 people, 23,052 continue to struggle with trials. As a result of these processes, 125,456 people were convicted, and different decisions were made regarding 32,462 individuals.

The government implemented extensive judicial and security measures, including decrees that extended detention periods to 30 days. The number of those detained exceeded 600,000, while those arrested surpassed 500,000, including 3,000 children and 864 babies. Moreover, over 300,000 public employees were dismissed, including 50,000 teachers, 7,000 health workers, and 6,000 academics.

The harsh policies implemented following the coup attempt affected not only the public sector but also the media and educational institutions. Many organizations, including 1,598 associations, 568 foundations, and 15 universities, were shut down or seized by the state.

Throughout this period, a total of 952 people lost their lives due to human rights violations and maltreatment. Under the harsh conditions of prison, 138 people struggled to survive, while 93 committed suicide due to the hardships they faced. Additionally, 36 individuals who could not live in their country and attempted to cross the Meriç River died during this process. (Report summarized from KHKTV https://youtu.be/57fHV2cM6_c?si=IRJNI_HWoQ0Dc8p1)

As the public turns increasingly to dietary supplements, with as many as 86% of adults in the U.S. using them, skepticism about their long-term benefits remains high. A staggering $30 billion is spent annually in the U.S. alone on vitamins, yet recent studies, including clinical trials, have largely failed to show that supplements can effectively prevent non-communicable diseases like Type 2 diabetes. This lack of convincing evidence suggests that while certain nutrients, like folic acid, are essential for specific health conditions, overall, supplements may not provide the expected health benefits (https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2013/08/should-you-take-dietary-supplements).

On the other hand, the line between conventional medicine and dietary supplements is increasingly blurring as new research supports the efficacy of certain supplements in preventive healthcare and treatment. Historically, the medical community has been skeptical about integrating supplements extensively into treatment protocols due to varying regulatory standards and inconsistent clinical evidence. However, recent studies suggest a shift towards a more integrative approach.

A 2021 meta-analysis published in The Lancet (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34505026/) indicates that omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fish oil supplements (e.g., www.zinzino.com), can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Experts like Rajiv Chowdhury, cardiovascular epidemiologist at Cambridge, argue that while supplements should not replace prescribed medications, they can complement them. In their meta-analysis dated 2014 they quote “Supplementation with vitamin D3 significantly reduces overall mortality among older adults” (https://www.bmj.com/content/348/bmj.g1903).

The growing body of research advocating for the responsible use of supplements alongside medications highlights the potential for a more holistic approach to healthcare. As scientific evidence mounts, the integration of dietary supplements into standard medical practice is becoming more plausible, promising a comprehensive strategy for enhancing patient care.

This development calls for continued rigorous research and tighter regulatory oversight to ensure that the merging paths of supplements and traditional medicine lead to optimal health outcomes.

This development calls for continued rigorous research and tighter regulatory oversight to ensure that the merging paths of supplements and traditional medicine lead to optimal health outcomes.

The growing body of research advocating for the responsible use of supplements alongside medications highlights the potential for a more holistic approach to healthcare. As scientific evidence mounts, the integration of dietary supplements into standard medical practice is becoming more plausible, promising a comprehensive strategy for enhancing patient care. This development calls for continued rigorous research and tighter regulatory oversight to ensure that the merging paths of supplements and traditional medicine lead to optimal health outcomes.

Intensive animal farming poses significant health risks to humans. Virologists warn that the close living conditions between humans and animals create ideal conditions for the spread of viruses. Once animals and humans interact in densely populated areas, viruses can easily mutate and jump from animals to humans. A prominent example is avian influenza, which is currently causing concern worldwide.

In China, there is the world’s largest pig farm, which accommodates 1.2 million pigs. Virologists view such mega farms with suspicion, as they present a high risk for the emergence and spread of new virus variants. The close confinement and genetic homogeneity of the animals facilitate the rapid spread of diseases. This was already evident in previous pandemics. The deadly influenza pandemics of 1918, 1957, and 1968 were all transmitted from pigs to humans. These examples highlight the particular risk posed by pigs.

Another problem is the global meat production, which is constantly increasing. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (https://www.fao.org), production of 370.7 million tons is expected in 2024. With this mass of animals, the risk of zoonoses, diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, also grows. A recent case is the H5N1 virus, which infected humans in Hong Kong and led to mass culling of poultry.

Epidemiologists therefore call for stricter controls and hygiene regulations. The World Health Organization has already taken steps to promote immediate reporting of outbreaks and to improve the exchange of scientific data. However, to sustainably reduce the pandemic risk, intensive animal farming must also be reconsidered. Smaller, more resilient stocks that are not bred for maximum production performance could help limit the spread of diseases and protect the health of both humans and animals. For more: https://www.zeit.de/2024/30/vogelgrippe-usa-massentierhaltung-virus-pandemie

Epidemiologists therefore call for stricter controls and hygiene regulations. The World Health Organization has already taken steps to promote immediate reporting of outbreaks and to improve the exchange of scientific data. However, to sustainably reduce the pandemic risk, intensive animal farming must also be reconsidered. Smaller, more resilient stocks that are not bred for maximum production performance could help limit the spread of diseases and protect the health of both humans and animals. For more: https://www.zeit.de/2024/30/vogelgrippe-usa-massentierhaltung-virus-pandemie