Academic freedom in danger: Trump's course threatens research and education!

Academic freedom in danger: Trump's course threatens research and education!

Academic freedom in the USA has been under enormous pressure since the re-election of President Donald Trump. This is reported by numerous academics and institutions that are experiencing massive restrictions in their fields of work. Renowned universities are particularly affected, as they are severely restricted by drastic cuts in funding and the elimination of diversity, equality and inclusion programs. As the Free University of Berlin As emphasized, thousands of employees have been laid off from scientific institutions and many international researchers are leaving the country. An open letter warns of a “climate of fear” within the academic community.

In the context of these developments, the Free University of Berlin is planning a public panel discussion entitled “Focus USA: Threatened Science”, which will take place on June 4, 2025. The event will be part of the “Brennpunkt USA” series, which deals with key social, political and scientific upheavals in the USA. The aim is to address the causes and consequences of these developments as well as possible reactions from Europe.

Trump's influence on science

Since taking office, Trump has pursued a comprehensive transformation in the areas of education, science and research. In his first 100 days of his second term in office, he issued nearly 140 presidential decrees without relying on parliamentary majorities. These strategies, described by sociology professor Neil Gross as military tactics, are often based on the plans of conservative think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation's "Project 2025." Research and teaching reported.

Another point in Trump's agenda is the dismantling of essential institutions such as the US development aid agency USAID and an almost complete dissolution of the Federal Ministry of Education. This goes hand in hand with the cancellation of many funding programs. Critics argue that Trump's actions, which violate free speech, are facing legal challenges from cities like Harvard. There is also the threat of the elimination of diversity and inclusion programs, while at the same time a wealth of scientific data on health, the environment and social inequalities is increasingly being removed.

Academic freedom is declining worldwide

The decline in academic freedom is not limited to the United States. A global view shows alarming trends. The Federal Agency for Civic Education highlights that the Academic Freedom Index (AFi), which measures academic freedom, documents significant restrictions in 175 countries worldwide. Around 80% of the world's population lives in countries with an AFi value below 0.8, which means moderate to severe restrictions.

Historical data shows that academic freedom was under severe pressure during the world wars and in the 1960s and 1970s. However, recent developments suggest a slight increase in freedom in some countries, while others continue to experience significant restrictions. The challenges to liberal social models and academic freedom are therefore an issue that requires international attention.

The composition of the discussants in the upcoming discussion shows the efforts to actively address such topics. The aim is to open a dialogue with experts from various fields about how Europe can respond to developments in the USA in order to promote the exchange of ideas and the protection of academic freedom.