91ÒùĸÊÓƵ

The Disrupted and Displaced Palestinian Scholars and Students (DPSS) initiative supports members of the academic community whose studies, research or teaching have been disrupted by ongoing conflict and who have in many cases experienced displacement from their learning or working contexts.

Grounded in the 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ’s commitment to access, community and belonging, this initiative affirms the right to education and scholarly pursuit in times of crisis.

Administered through the College of Social Sciences and Humanities under partnership with portfolios across the Office of the Provost, the DPSS initiative provides coordinated pathways of support for Palestinian scholars and students who have been disrupted and displaced from their homes and from universities or research institutions. Through the DPSS Bursary Program, the 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ seeks to support students in continuing their studies; as of Fall 2025, the U of A has welcomed 21 undergraduate and graduate students across multiple faculties and disciplines under this program. 

Beginning Winter 2026, the Virtual Scholars Program will assist in enabling impacted scholars to sustain their teaching, mentorship and research activities. This initiative will foster engagement across the university community through proposed public lectures and collaborative symposia, thereby creating opportunities to share knowledge and deepen mutual understanding. These activities invite the broader campus community to engage with perspectives, scholarship and experiences in ways that strengthen international dialogue, foster intellectual exchange and support the preservation of academic freedom.

Contribute to the DPSS Initiative

The U of A has established a fund to address the needs of disrupted and displaced Palestinian scholars and students. The fund is reviewed regularly to ensure that its impact continues to reflect both its founding intent and the evolving priorities of those it serves. 

Your contribution to the initiative directly supports education, research and community resilience. Every donation affirms the shared belief that knowledge should endure and remain within reach despite turmoil..

DPSS Committee

A dedicated DPSS committee comprised of co-chairs Drs. Yasmeen Abu-Laban (Faculty of Arts) and Vivian Mushahwar (Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry), U of A leaders, representatives from key offices, working in coordination with external community partners and the , guides decisions about prioritization of initiatives, resource allocation and coordination of efforts.