Over the past year, students have supported Palestinians due to the current crisis in Gaza. Some of the academics at Karlstad University wish to do the same, with one of their first public events on Monday, 26 May.
”We want to address the genocide from an academic perspective.” says Sandra Andersson, member of the group Karlstad Academics for Palestine.
As of last year a group in Karlstad gathered to raise awareness for the current crisis in Gaza. Among the people were students who received attention in the local media, but some academics were also involved.
At the university, academics have also united through a organization ’Karlstad Academics for Palestine’ to support a similar cause. The organisation is part of the ’Workers and Students in Swedish Academia for Palestine network’ (WASSAP). Tomorrow they launch one of their first public events at the university and this event will align with their previous work, raise awareness for Palestine.
“We´re not just sitting here doing research while the world happens outside.” says one of the members.
The event includes a panel with a lecture as an introduction with start at 13:15 in Lagerlöfsalen, Karlstad University. It is meant to make a space for Palestine to enter conversations at the university while also making it an academic event, considering the responsible for the panel are an organisation of academics working at KAU.
”This is a part of our attempt to break the silence and create spaces where people can have nuanced, inclusive and decent conversations.” says Luca Tainio, who will serve as the panel’s moderator on Monday.
Sandra highlights another perspective on the purpose of the panel discussion by focusing on the importance of addressing the crisis in Gaza, not only from an academic standpoint but also through an interdisciplinary approach.
”We want to address the genocide in Palestine from an academic perspective and also from an interdisciplinary perspective, because we think the lecturers taking part in the panel can contribute with their perspective from research and teaching.” says Sandra, PhD candidate, and member of the group Karlstad Academics for Palestine.
She wants to express that their work is for academic solidarity and the panel tomorrow will be for both students and academics.
Although there has been a perceived silence from the university from people engaged in raising awareness for the crisis in Gaza, a few statements were made in media last year and through ’Words from senior management” on the university’s website. In previous statements, the university has expressed its position to not comment on foreign policy issues while reaffirming academic freedom.
Where Luca describes academic freedom as a position that carries both privilege and responsibility.
“Now we should feel that responsibility and accountability, and not see academic freedom as something that only includes us and our possibilities and our freedom – but also to act when the freedom of others, in this case Palestinians, is under violent attack.” says Luca.
We asked the university for a comment on the organization’s ongoing work and upcoming activities as academics at the university:
”The university is a neutral space for knowledge exchange and debate. Academic discussions on the situation in Gaza is of high societal relevance. The management thus welcomes this initiative by our staff and students.” says Jerker Moodysson, Vice-Chancellor at Karlstad University.
In the future, one of Karlstad Academics for Palestine’s big plans is to develop a clearer structure and stronger collaboration to better support Palestinian students, researchers, and teachers, as well as to organize more panel discussions.
”Our goal is to continue spreading awareness around us.” says Sandra Andersson as the interview comes to an end.
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