“Curiosity and justice are the driving forces” – Robert Quinn, new Honorary Doctor
2026-04-20
But he is also a husband, father of two, brother and friend — roles that to him are just as fundamental as his professional identity.
Robert Quinn, founder of Scholars at Risk, has been named Honorary Doctor in Library and Information Science at the University of Borås. His work has been of vital importance to many threatened academics who, through the organization, have been able to receive sanctuary and assistance and continue to work as researchers and teaching staff.
Robert Quinn portrays himself with a mix of self-awareness and precision: curious, optimistic and committed, but not too serious, and not particularly academic despite his long career within the academic world. He also admits that he is somewhat overworked, which at times makes him impatient.
He has a solid academic background: a Bachelor’s degree in Politics from Princeton University and a Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law. In addition, he is a two-time honorary doctorate recipient — from Illinois Wesleyan University and Vrije Universiteit Brussel — and soon also Honorary Doctorate in the area Library and Information Science at the University of Borås. Yet despite this impressive list of merits, he sees his career as anything but linear. He has been everything from a language teacher in China to working with low-income housing, serving as a judicial law clerk, working as a defence lawyer and serving as an adjunct professor. Today, he is one of the world’s most prominent voices for academic freedom. What, then, is the common thread?
“A curiosity about the intersection of power and people,” he said.
He emphasises, however, that his career has never been the result of long-term planning.
“I have never taken a step based on money, but on what I would learn, who I would meet, and whether I might be able to make a difference.”
Academic freedom is essential — not only for scholars and universities, but for everyone.
The question of academic freedom runs through almost everything Robert Quinn writes and does. For him, it is not merely an academic concept but a fundamental societal function.
Specifically, it is about the freedom to conduct research, teach and share knowledge for the public good. More broadly, it concerns something as fundamental as the freedom to think and to ask questions — not only individually, but together with others.
Why is this important?
“Academic freedom is essential — not only for scholars and universities, but for everyone. In a complex and interconnected world, the pursuit of truth is crucial to understanding both the challenges and the opportunities we face. The knowledge that emerges from free inquiry enables us to live longer, healthier and freer lives,” he explained.
Scholars at Risk – from idea to global network
Scholars at Risk was not founded by Robert Quinn alone, but emerged from an initiative by academics at the University of Chicago. They sought to revive a tradition of offering temporary sanctuary to scholars threatened because of their work — a tradition that stretches back to the Second World War and continued through oppressive regimes in Latin America and under communist rule. Quinn was recruited to lead the work, and this became the starting point for one of the world’s most extensive international networks dedicated to protecting academics at risk.
He underlines that the organisation’s success depends on all those within higher education around the world who choose to contribute: “It has only worked and grown thanks to people who do everything they can to help colleagues.”
Justice and meaning
When he reflects on what motivates him personally, the answer comes quickly: the opportunity to learn and to contribute to creating a more just, equal and optimistic world.
What matters most to him in life is spending time with people around issues that are real — meaningful and important, not trivial or fleeting. This could be anything from a good conversation during a hike to supporting colleagues who are working to free an unjustly imprisoned scholar.
When it comes to role models, he describes himself as someone who always looks for good examples, whether found in individuals, organisations or systems.
“I am inspired mainly by people who take risks on behalf of others, without taking themselves too seriously,” he said.
What, then, makes him angry or happy?
“I can get angry. Even though it happens less often today, it stirs strong feelings when people in positions of power exploit others or make life harder for those who are already struggling.”
Joy, on the other hand, is found in the simple things: when his wife and children laugh, and when colleagues and friends within SAR celebrate their shared efforts.
Grateful for the university’s engagement
Ahead of his lecture and promotion as an honorary doctor on 8 May, he extends warm thanks.
“First and foremost for the university’s engagement in SAR and its support for scholars in need. And secondly for acknowledging this work. It is a recognition that helps us recharge our batteries and do even more for more scholars,” he said.
What will your lecture be about?
“It will be about the fundamental importance of protecting the freedom to think — for everyone — and the responsibility that comes with that freedom,” he concludes.
About Robert Quinn
From: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Recognized as: Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science
Robert Quinn is the founder and Executive Director of Scholars at Risk (SAR). Together with SAR, he received the University of Oslo’s Human Rights Award in 2012 (UiO’s Human Rights Award – Lisl and Leo Eitinger’s Fund). In addition to his work with SAR, Robert Quinn has extensive experience in issues relating to academic freedom and has held leading positions in, among others, the Magna Charta Observatory, the Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund, and the Network for Education and Academic Rights. Robert Quinn’s academic field is law. He became an honorary doctor at Illinois Wesleyan University in 2010 and at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in 2023.
Public lecture on 7 May
Robert Quinn will be conferred an honorary doctorate at the university's Academic Ceremony on 8 May at Borås Congress. On Thursday 7 May, he will give a public lecture at the University of Borås on “Freedom to Think, Responsibility to Act”
Date and time: 7 May, 13.00–14.00 pm
Venue: To be confirmed
Zoom link: https://hb-se.zoom.us/j/65137169436
Read more
The non-profit organization Scholars at Risk (SAR) was founded in 1999 and is today a global network of over 650 active partners, many of which are universities. SAR is based at New York University. Around a hundred scholars receive protection annually with the help of SAR. They are academics whose activities and sometimes even lives have been endangered by totalitarian regimes.
Read more about Robert Quinn on Scholars at Risk's website
The Swedish School of Library and Information Science, University of Borås
Solveig Klug
Fred Siegel/Scholars at Risk