Ghent University (UGent) has raised concerns about the growing risks associated with academic cooperation with the United States under Donald Trump’s administration. In a communication to its staff, the university warns that recent US measures are placing pressure on academic freedom and the autonomy of educational institutions.
The university specifically cautions academics and students travelling to the US about stricter border controls and the potential consequences of making critical statements about the US government.
Researchers are urged to be cautious if questioned by US authorities about sensitive issues such as diversity or climate policy, and to first consult UGent’s North America Platform or human rights policy team.
Censorship of critical topics
Topics like climate change, gender and diversity are increasingly subject to censorship in the US, UGent warns, with research in these areas often going unfunded or suppressed.
UGent’s concerns echo those of ALLEA, the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities, which recently issued a statement condemning the freezing of billions of dollars in US federal research funding and censorship around critical academic themes. UGent has joined this declaration and reiterates its opposition to political interference in its education and research.
The university has also tightened internal guidelines. New partnerships with US institutions must now be vetted through UGent’s human rights policy framework, ensuring they align with principles of academic freedom, non-discrimination and respect for human rights.
Additionally, researchers are advised to store sensitive data exclusively on UGent servers to minimise risks of censorship or data loss.
These warnings follow news that the US Department of Education plans to freeze 2.3 billion USD in federal funding for Harvard University unless it complies with demands from the Trump administration.
According to a letter from Harvard president Alan M Garber, the conditions include increased monitoring of antisemitism and civil rights, dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programmes and revising key university policies.
Last week, UGent rector Rik Van de Walle voiced his support for Harvard in a post on X, writing: “I fully support this statement.” Van de Walle, who completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Arizona, highlighted the importance of standing by academic institutions facing political pressure.
