AcademicFreedom
‘This year nearly broke me as a scientist’ – US researchers reflect on how 2025’s science cuts have changed their lives
‘This year nearly broke me as a scientist’ – US researchers reflect on how 2025’s science cuts have changed their lives US researchers are reflecting on how the Trump administration’s science funding cuts have affected their lives and work, describing a year of devastation that has disrupted clinical trials, stunted grant reviews, and terminated billions […]
📰 News
Trump’s second term is reshaping US science with unprecedented cuts and destabilizing policy changes
Trump’s second term is reshaping US science with unprecedented cuts and destabilizing policy changes Trump’s second term is reshaping US science policy with unprecedented cuts and destabilizing changes, marking a new precedent for mutual distrust between scientists and the administration. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has been used to promote private […]
📰 News
Research breakthroughs often come through collaborations − attacks on academic freedom threaten this vital work
Research breakthroughs often come through collaborations − attacks on academic freedom threaten this vital work Academic freedom is under threat worldwide, with many researchers facing funding cuts due to their perceived ideological bias, leading to a decline in global research collaborations and scientific discovery. The “collaboration dividend” – where global research collaborations optimize human and […]
🔬 Science
College faculty are under pressure to say and do the right thing – the stress also trickles down to students
College faculty are under pressure to say and do the right thing – the stress also trickles down to students College faculty are under immense pressure to say and do the right thing, leading to stress and burnout that trickles down to students. The academic profession is caught in the crosscurrents of culture and politics, […]
📰 News
What the First Amendment doesn’t protect when it comes to professors speaking out on politics
What the First Amendment doesn’t protect when it comes to professors speaking out on politics Public colleges and universities have limited First Amendment rights compared to private institutions, meaning they can discipline employees for their speech more easily. The First Amendment only protects public employees’ speech when it’s about a “matter of public concern” or […]
🏛️ Politics
McCarthyism’s shadow looms over controversial firing of Texas professor who taught about gender identity
McCarthyism’s shadow looms over controversial firing of Texas professor who taught about gender identity Texas A&M University has fired a children’s literature professor, Melissa McCoul, over her discussion of gender identity in class, sparking concerns about academic freedom and free speech. The university claims that McCoul’s course content was not consistent with the published course […]
🏛️ Politics
Cancer research in the US is world class because of its broad base of funding − with the government pulling out, its future is uncertain
Cancer research in the US is world class because of its broad base of funding − with the government pulling out, its future is uncertain Cancer research in the US faces an uncertain future due to government funding cuts, which could lead to a decline in research and development of new cancer treatments. The US […]
🏥 Health
Lessons from El Salvador for US university leaders facing attacks from Trump
Lessons from El Salvador for US university leaders facing attacks from Trump Salvadorans participate in a procession on Nov. 14, 2015, to commemorate the 26th anniversary of the murder of the Rev. Ignacio Ellacuría, five other Jesuit priests and two employees at Central American University in San Salvador. Marvin Recinos/AFP via Getty Images Even before […]
🏛️ Politics
DEI initiatives removed from federal agencies that fund science, but scientific research continues
DEI initiatives removed from federal agencies that fund science, but scientific research continues Collaboration is key in science – DEI programs intend to foster inclusivity in the field. sanjeri/E+ via Getty Images As soon as President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20, 2025, he signed an executive order titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government […]
📰 News