Research breakthroughs often come through collaborations − attacks on academic freedom threaten this vital work

At the University of Minnesota, researchers, scientists and other supporters protested against proposed cuts to scientific research funding. Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Since President Donald Trump took office for the second time, many researchers across academic disciplines have had their funding cut because of their purported ideological bias. These funding cuts were further exacerbated by the extensive 2025 government shutdown.

As a team of sociologists studying universities, higher education policy and administration, academic freedom and science production, we recognized these cuts as part of a recent global trend of weakened academic freedom. Since the mid-2000s, political attacks on higher education have increased in many countries. Consequently, academic freedom has declined in countries as different as India, Israel, Nicaragua and the United Kingdom, among others.