Trump's science elimination strategy underscores a significant event at UQAM conference
Politics and Science: The Great Divide. That's how Professor and researcher Vincent Larivière dubbed a conference organized at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) to discuss the far-reaching consequences of the drastic cuts to academic research funding and attempts at intellectual censorship by the administrations of Donald Trump in the United States and beyond.
While budget reductions loom, research topics such as climate crisis, sexual diversity, and health issues face a dangerous amount of scrutiny, as well as attempts to covertly destroy data that contradicts the political agenda of the American government, as Larivière explained in an interview with Le Devoir before the conference. The United States' historical position as the world's preeminent investor in academic research adds significant weight to this issue.
"The assault is wide-ranging, and beneath it all, there's a clear ideological motive—big government should have smaller pockets," summarized the researcher. This situation has begun to have international ramifications.
Warned by Larivière, "We're barely scratching the surface, and the repercussions haven't been felt in full yet."
Concerned, the associate scientific director of UQAM's Observatoire des sciences et des technologies voiced his concerns about researchers from Quebec collaborating with their American counterparts in academic work. Many American researchers are hesitant to travel to Quebec for conferences due to the increased scrutiny they may face at the U.S. border upon their return, noted Larivière.
In response, the Canadian Association of University Teachers advises its members to avoid all non-essential travel to the United States, particularly for those whose research could conflict with the political ideology of the U.S. government.
"Travel restrictions [for Quebec researchers] are no longer a concern, given how common it once was," pointed out Larivière. This situation could potentially hinder collaborations between researchers in Quebec and the United States.
"Uncertainty about funding at universities means that projects co-financed by Canadian and American sources may be slowed down," explained Vincent Poitout, the designated vice-rector for research at the Université de Montréal.
Larivière is also concerned about the potential cessation of crucial climate and ocean data collection by the United States, which would put the global community in a disadvantageous position in the battle against climate change. "We don't have any alternatives" to extensive American data banks at present, he cautioned.
The importance of replicating American scientific data on other platforms, particularly Canadian ones, cannot be overstated in this era of uncertainty to prevent possibly losing vital research data as a result of efforts by the Trump administration to delegitimize science.
"We need to do whatever we can to resist this," Mr. Larivière concluded, acknowledging that it wouldn't be easy.
In response to recent American policies undermining the research community, some Quebec universities are trying to draw in researchers from the United States. At the University of Montreal, representatives there confirmed that discussions are ongoing with several American researchers who contacted them voluntarily.
However, these efforts may not be enough, estimated Larivière, who also called on Canadian authorities to boost funding for scientific research in the country to support the continuation of projects that will be cut in the United States.
This request is echoed by the president of the Quebec Federation of University Professors, Madeleine Pastinelli, who warned that universities in the province, currently facing financial difficulties, will only be able to offer positions to American researchers if they have the necessary funding. "To seize this opportunity, you must invest."
Additional Insights:
• Large-scale disinvestment in research threatens the U.S.'s status as a global leader in scientific innovation.• Decreased funding may drive researchers away from the U.S., reducing its capacity for international collaborative efforts on global challenges.• Disinvestment in key areas like AI, cybersecurity, and climate science can limit the U.S.'s participation in critical international initiatives.• Funding cuts and censorship can stagnate climate research, lead to less accurate or comprehensive data collection, and hinder the development of effective climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.• Delays in the implementation of climate solutions due to insufficient data and research can have devastating long-term effects on the global community.• The Trump administration's policies have raised constitutional concerns, adding to the instability faced by research institutions and potentially chilling international partnerships.
- Professor and researcher Vincent Larivière labelled a conference at Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) as 'Politics and Science: The Great Divide,' discussing the drastic cuts to academic research funding and intellectual censorship.
- The assault on academic research, according to Larivière, is ideologically motivated, with a clear aim to reduce government funding.
- The United States, historically a major investor in academic research, faces international ramifications as research topics like climate crisis, sexual diversity, and health issues face scrutiny and covert data destruction attempts.
- Quebec universities are trying to draw in researchers from the United States, but Vincent Larivière estimates that these efforts might not be enough, calling for Canadian authorities to boost scientific research funding.
- Disinvestment in key areas like AI, cybersecurity, and climate science can limit the U.S.'s participation in critical international initiatives.
- The importance of replicating American scientific data on other platforms, particularly Canadian ones, is crucial in this era of uncertainty to prevent losing vital research data as a result of the Trump administration's efforts to delegitimize science.
