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

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

A fifth say they 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 the survey, with 78 per cent saying they are refraining from social media. Concerns about immigration status was a major factor driving self-censorship among this group.

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

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

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

A further 29 per cent report a decline in teaching freedom, compared to 2 per cent who felt it had increased, and 30 per cent felt there had been a decline in their academic freedom in extramural communications ¨C ten times higher than those who felt there had been an increase (3 per cent).

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

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

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

Potential professional consequences such as loss of jobs or promotions (48 per cent) was the second biggest concern, followed by the 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@timeshighereducation.com