"Protecting Higher Education from Attack” (with M. Novelli)

While there is a growing body of work investigating the scale, nature and impact of attacks on children and schools, far less attention has been placed on attacks on higher education, and still less on the protection and prevention measures that are being or could be taken. The lack of research and the limited attention given to developing and implementing such measures represent a serious omission on the part of the international community, as the higher education sector has a vital role to play not only in scientific progress but in political, economic, social and cultural progress too, including in the development and provision of primary and secondary education. This chapter explores why attacks on higher education occur and how they might be prevented or their impact reduced. A starting point would be to invest in evidence- gathering and advocacy aimed at increasing accountability, as well as in strengthening emergency protection and prevention measures.