Off University
Topics
Academic freedom and political persecution, Gender and peace in conflict contexts, Transnational solidarity in knowledge production
Disciplines
Gender Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Critical Pedagogy, Political Sociology
Off University is a self-organized academic platform founded in 2017 in response to the mass dismissals of university staff in Turkey following the 2016 attempted coup. It was created as a lifeline for politically persecuted scholars, offering them the means to continue their teaching and research without being forced into exile.
The organization supports academics in emergency contexts by facilitating online education and collaborative research in a structure that transcends borders. It creates academic spaces grounded in solidarity, autonomy, and critical inquiry, allowing scholars to remain connected to their communities while contributing to global knowledge production.
Since its founding, 203 scholars from countries including India, Syria, Turkey, Belarus, Mexico, and Ukraine have taught and conducted research through Off University while receiving a living wage. The institution focuses on fields of knowledge under threat, with a strong emphasis on Gender Studies and Peace Studies. Some of their recent projects include “The Gendered Aspect of War and Peace” (2022) and “The Intersectionality of Peace Building” (2023), both led by Kurdish and Turkish academics.
In this way, Off University demonstrates how academic freedom, critical thought, and transnational solidarity can be sustained—even in exile.
The organization supports academics in emergency contexts by facilitating online education and collaborative research in a structure that transcends borders. It creates academic spaces grounded in solidarity, autonomy, and critical inquiry, allowing scholars to remain connected to their communities while contributing to global knowledge production.
Since its founding, 203 scholars from countries including India, Syria, Turkey, Belarus, Mexico, and Ukraine have taught and conducted research through Off University while receiving a living wage. The institution focuses on fields of knowledge under threat, with a strong emphasis on Gender Studies and Peace Studies. Some of their recent projects include “The Gendered Aspect of War and Peace” (2022) and “The Intersectionality of Peace Building” (2023), both led by Kurdish and Turkish academics.
In this way, Off University demonstrates how academic freedom, critical thought, and transnational solidarity can be sustained—even in exile.
Diyarbakır
Tora Çand û Hûnera Kurdî
Tora Çand û Hûnera Kurdî will spark discussions on linguistic diversity, cultural preservation, and artistic expression by invigorating the cultural landscape of the Kurdish region.
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Diyarbakır
Tora Çand û Hûnera Kurdî
vahahubs.org/hubs/tora-cand-u-hunera-kurdi
Tora Çand û Hûnera Kurdî* has a twofold mission. First, they aim to counteract the threats and censorship faced by Kurdish cultural institutions, seeking to create a united front and amplify their demands through collaboration. With the support of VAHA, they aim to expand their influence across Turkey and Europe. Second, they plan to standardise Kurdish culture and art terminology, opening new avenues for cultural production and creative activities. The hub will focus on a terminology study in five languages, Kurdish Cinema Days, and Kurdish Theatre Days. These endeavours will spark discussions on linguistic diversity, cultural preservation, and artistic expression, enriching public discourse and understanding. Ultimately, they will invigorate the cultural landscape of the Kurdish region.*Kurdish Culture and Arts Network
TRANSNATIONAL EXCHANGE IDEA
The Journey of Kurdish Women to BerlinThe project has a mission to amplify the voices of Kurdish female asylum seekers. Through 5-10 in-depth interviews and storytelling sessions, we capture their personal experiences and stories. Guided by professional facilitators, participants refine their narratives in a focus group discussion. The resulting data is meticulously documented, forming the basis for a short documentary film. Additionally, a writing workshop engages both storytellers and theatre professionals to develop a play inspired by these powerful narratives. In this creative exchange, the Kurdish language will serve as a bridge—a conduit for dialogue between the Kurdish region and the diaspora in Berlin. Through storytelling, we will celebrate resilience, identity, and shared human experiences.
The Journey of Kurdish Women to Berlin is created in partnership with Tora Çand û Hûnera Kurdî from Diyarbakır.
