Economic sanctions and academia: Overlooked impact and long-term consequences

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• International Relations
• Education Policy

Background:

• Financial sanctions are a prevalent tool in 21st-century international relations.
• Their impact on academic systems of research and education is often overlooked.
• Sanctions create "invisible barriers" to accessing and utilizing research resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of 20 years of economic sanctions on Sudanese academics.
• To identify specific areas of academic research and education affected by international sanctions.
• To explore the long-term consequences of sanctions on academia.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a national survey of Sudanese academics.
• Collected data on the effects of economic sanctions on their work.

Main Results:

• Economic sanctions have demonstrably impacted key areas of academic research and education in Sudan.
• The negative effects on academia are likely to endure beyond the formal lifting of sanctions.
• Sanctions impede resource access and curtail effective academic work.

Conclusions:

• The study problematizes the concept of jus post bellum, suggesting a need for reparations.
• Countries imposing economic sanctions have a moral responsibility to support affected academic systems.
• The findings highlight the enduring damage of sanctions on higher education and research infrastructure.