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Culture wars are raging on US campuses. Will they affect research?

Scientists and other academics worry that political pressure on universities is growing and could limit research and teaching.
By
  1. Emma Marris

    1. Emma Marris is an environmental writer who lives in Oregon.

Students during a Defend New College protest in Sarasota, Florida, in January 2023.

Students protest against the actions of Florida governor Ron DeSantis that affect New College of Florida, in Sarasota. Credit: Octavio Jones/Bloomberg/Getty

It’s been a tumultuous time for higher education in the United States. Since early December, the presidents of two high-profile universities have resigned, both following comments they made during a congressional hearing about the Israel–Hamas war. The resignations are part of a growing politicization of higher education in the country — one that is having an impact on science and could lead to upheavals in the US research community.

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Nature 626, 474-476 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-00393-1

Updates & Corrections

  • Correction 18 April 2024: This News feature misstated the timing of when Idia Binitie Thurston was working on her grant application at Texas A&M University, which happened before SB 17 was adopted.

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