The policy research project is led by GC Research Manager Dr Chiara Altafin and involves 8 policy analysts selected among the alumni of GC regional master’s programmes, namely Meline Avagyan (CES), Anida Gjurgjiali (ERMA), Lakshita Kanhiya (HRDA), Luis Fernando Herrera Martínez (LATMA), Mostafa Masjedi Arani (ArMA), Minh Nguyen (APMA), Nikolaos Sousos (EMA), and Akylai Tenizbaeva (MAHRS).
In this context, the forthcoming Webinar Series in June and July 2026 will provide special opportunities to hear the GC policy analysts address their research findings, discuss with relevant experts and propose policy recommendations, providing a space for reflection and advocacy.
Here is the calendar for the GC PO Webinar Series:
10/06/2026, 2:00-3:00 PM CET
LINK TO REGISTER https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XW8ijmstQXaurnD6TCjkAg
Upholding the right to academic freedom in Central Asia: policy directions for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
– Akylai Tenizbaeva, GC Policy Analyst (MAHRS alumna, GC Central Asia)
– Dr Erkaiym Mambetalieva, Founder and CEO of the Central Asian Research Institute on Corruption and Money Laundering, and Docent at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic
– Dr Feruza Madaminova, Assistant Professor of International Relations at the International School of Finance Technology (ISFT Institute) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
17/06/2026, 3:00-4:00 PM CET
LINK TO REGISTER https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jKXdEalXTBOeRACoP0klsg
Protecting university autonomy and academic freedom amidst democratic backsliding: a strategic proposal for an IACHR thematic report
– Luis Fernando Herrera Martínez, GC Policy Analyst (LATMA alumnus, GC Latin America and the Caribbean)
– Dr Mayda Hočevar, Director of the Observatory for Human Rights at the University of Los Andes, Venezuela
– Marco Aurelio Peña Morales, Executive Director and Co-Founder of ‘Iniciativa Puentes por los Estudiantes de Nicaragua’
22/06/2026, 2:00-3:00 PM CET
LINK TO REGISTER https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NDbav8gYTUax3_KlKmIz1A
Censorship at the intersection of academic freedom and freedom of thought, conscience and religion in Vietnam
– Minh Nguyen, GC Policy Analyst (APMA alumnus, GC Asia Pacific)
– Dr Bencharat Sae Chua, Regional Director of the Southeast Asia Coalition for Academic Freedom (SEACAF) and Lecturer at the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies (IHRP) at Mahidol University, Thailand
– Jonas Fiebrantz, United Nations Advocacy Officer with ADF International in Geneva, Switzerland TBC
01/07/2026, 4:30-5:30 PM CET
LINK TO REGISTER
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Opp7AGKlRKGP0suQedWQwg
Who fears critical knowledge? Academic freedom in Africa’s most contested debates on religion, gender norms, and sexuality
– Lakshita Kanhiya, GC Policy Analyst (HRDA alumna, GC Africa)
– Robert Akoto Amoafo, Lead Facilitator and Leadership Coach, Busara Africa
– Chioma Okoli, Senior Legal Officer at National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria TBC
08/07/2026, TBC
LINK TO REGISTER
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AqFkzGRJRxebvB9LEsW11w
University architecture and academic freedom in the Middle East:
a case study of Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
– Mostafa Masjedi Arani, GC Policy Analyst (ArMA alumnus, GC Arab World)
– Prof Nezar AlSayyad, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Architecture, Planning, Urban Design, and Urban History at University of California, Berkeley TBC
– Prof Salwa Ismail, Professor of Politics, with a focus on the Middle East, at SOAS University of London TBC
15/07/2026, 2:00-3:00 PM CET
LINK TO REGISTER
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_F0P1ZXrcSu2XLTXJEoTdrQ
Protecting and promoting academic freedom in South East Europe: a human rights-based analysis of challenges and solutions
– Anida Gjurgjiali, GC Policy Analyst (ERMA alumna, GC South East Europe)
– Adnan Ćerimagić, Senior Analyst for the Western Balkans at the European Stability Initiative (ESI), Berlin, Germany TBC
– Agon Ahmeti, Executive Director of ETEA, Pristina, Kosovo
22/07/2026, 2:30-3:30 PM CET
LINK TO REGISTER
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WKtT0lJTRcyQDXefs-AaQg
Academic freedom as an individual and institutional right: the case of the South Caucasus
– Meline Avagyan, GC Policy Analyst (CES alumna, GC Caucasus)
– Dr Yevgenya Jenny Paturyan, Associate Professor and the Program Chair of the Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance at the American University of Armenia TBC
– Ana Mikautadze, Former Project Coordinator at the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies & Former Assistant to the Dean and Research Assistant at Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
29/07/2026, 3:00-4:00 PM CET
LINK TO REGISTER
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5eVgoNcxT-WiJh7Cy_y5Ow
Safeguarding the right to science through academic freedom: a human rights-based and action-oriented framework for Europe
– Dr Nikolaos Sousos, GC Policy Analyst (EMA alumnus, GC Europe)
– Frank Geary, Director of Scholars at Risk (SAR) Europe TBC
– Thomas Estermann, Director for Governance, Funding and Public Policy Development at European University Association (EUA) TBC