"A global academic freedom group has warned that the Trump administration's assault on universities is turning the US into a model for how to dismantle academic freedom. We are witnessing an unprecedented situation really as far as I can tell in history where a global leader of education and research is voluntarily dismantling that which gave it an advantage, said Robert Quinn, executive director of Scholars at Risk (SAR)."
"In its annual Free to Think report, the Academic Freedom Monitoring Project at (SAR), an international network devoted to the promotion of academic freedom worldwide, counted some 40 attacks against academic freedom in the US in the first half of 2025, ranging from the government's revocation of research funds to the detention and attempted deportation of foreign scholars over their political views, as well as a torrent of executive, legislative and other actions targeting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and other programs."
"While most of those came from state governments and local actors, the nature of these attacks shifted after January 2025 to pressure from the federal government following the re-election of Donald Trump, and his administration's efforts to control university admissions, hiring, research, teaching and disciplinary processes, the report noted."
Scholars at Risk counted about 40 attacks against academic freedom in the United States during the first half of 2025, including revocation of research funds, detention and attempted deportation of foreign scholars for political views, and executive and legislative measures targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Pressure that was previously driven largely by state and local actors shifted after January 2025 toward federal actions tied to the Trump administration, including efforts to control admissions, hiring, research, teaching and disciplinary processes. Globally, 395 attacks on higher-education leaders, faculty, staff and students were recorded between mid-2024 and mid-2025, encompassing killings, disappearances, arrests, firings, travel restrictions and administrative measures, with serious developments reported in multiple countries including Bangladesh.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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