Kenny Cupers, Professor of Architectural History and Urban Studies, The University of Basel (25 February 2023)

Dear President Martha E. Pollack,
Dear Provost Michael I. Kotlikoff,

As Deputy Head of the Department of Social Sciences and Head of Urban Studies at the University of Basel, I write you to express my support for Assistant Professor Dr. Samia Henni, whose academic freedom and safety have come under recent attack at your institution.

After three months of investigation, your administration announced that books and folders in Dr. Henni’s office fell off the shelf. This narrative goes against several of the facts established in this case, including the disappearance of items and documents from Dr. Henni’s office.

It is not just the credibility of your institution that is at stake here. I call on your administration to reopen the criminal investigation, and guarantee a safe workplace for Dr. Henni. I also demand that your administration publicly condemns the attack, in an effort to prevent further discrimination against women of color and defend the promises of your administration’s antiracist agenda.

Sincerely,

Prof. Dr. Kenny Cupers

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Kenny Cupers
Professor of Architectural History and Urban Studies
Head of Urban Studies
Head of the Department of Social Sciences

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