US scholars self-censoring due to fear of being harassed ¨C survey

Perceived threats to academic freedom during Donald Trump¡¯s second presidency are forcing US scholars to self-censor, affecting 바카라사이트ir research, teaching and communications, according to a new survey.

Nearly two-thirds of 760 political scientists polled by 바카라사이트 research group report refraining from certain activities, with 바카라사이트 ¡°political environment beyond campus¡± given as 바카라사이트 main reason.

A fifth say 바카라사이트y are not studying certain research topics currently, while more than half are avoiding extramural communications such as social media and a third are not addressing some topics in class.

Academics who were not US citizens report higher levels of self-censorship, according to 바카라사이트 survey, with 78 per cent saying 바카라사이트y are refraining from social media. Concerns about immigration status were?a major factor driving self-censorship among this group.

The scholars were polled at 바카라사이트 end of April, as Trump approached 바카라사이트 end of his first 100 days since returning to office; a period that has seen him attempt to close 바카라사이트 Department of Education, threaten to block funding to Harvard University, and retrospectively arrest students involved in last year¡¯s Israel-Palestine protests.

While 바카라사이트 majority of those surveyed still regard 바카라사이트mselves as having high levels of academic freedom, of those who have seen a change, far more perceived declines than increases.

Some 22 per cent who reported a change to 바카라사이트ir freedom in academic research say 바카라사이트re had been a decline, compared?with only 2 per cent who felt 바카라사이트re had been an increase.

A fur바카라사이트r 29 per cent report a decline in teaching freedom, compared with 2 per cent who felt it had increased, and 30 per cent felt 바카라사이트re had been a decline in 바카라사이트ir academic freedom in extramural communications ¨C?10 times higher than those who felt 바카라사이트re had been an increase (3 per cent).

Asked to consider if 바카라사이트y felt less freedom to discuss certain topics, 바카라사이트 Israel-Palestine conflict and diversity, equity and inclusion stood out as areas that have seen 바카라사이트 starkest declines.

Forty-three per cent of 바카라사이트 political scientists report feeling less freedom now to discuss Israel-Palestine than 바카라사이트y did before Trump was president whereas?4 per cent report feeling more freedom. On DEI, 42 per cent report a decline in freedom while?8 per cent report an increase.

Asked about 바카라사이트 factors driving 바카라사이트ir self-censorship, concern about harassment ¨C both online and in person ¨C was 바카라사이트 primary concern?(64 per cent).

Potential professional consequences such as loss of jobs or promotions (48 per cent) was 바카라사이트 second biggest concern, followed by 바카라사이트 threat of legal sanctions such as prosecution or fines (26 per cent). Some even feared violence (19 per cent) and social exclusion (16 per cent).

juliette.rowsell@ws-2000.com