Survey of faculty on "The Impact of State and Federal Policies on Academic Researchers"

[ucbalumnus]

@Dylan Ruediger; Chelsea McCracken; Jonathan Barefield

Key findings

• State and federal policies targeting divisive concepts or DEI are shaping research agendas at scale and across disciplines. Twenty percent of all respondents, and 29 percent of researchers working in states with divisive concepts or similar laws, reported having avoided certain research topics because of state laws and policies.
• Eight percent of respondents representing a wide range of disciplines reported having had a federal grant cancelled in 2025.
• Eleven percent of respondents reported that federal and state policies restricting research activities are compelling them to seek employment out of state, to leave the academy, or to look for academic positions overseas.
• Researchers, particularly those at doctoral institutions and those employed in states with divisive concepts legislation, report concerns about whether university presidents and, especially, boards are willing to advocate for their academic freedom as researchers.

The Impact of State and Federal Policies on Academic Researchers - Ithaka S+R

Faculty Actually Are Trying to Flee Red States