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Today’s issue was inspired by discussion on the National Organization of Research Development Professionals email listserv. This is Part 3 of a three-part series.

This week I’ll wrap up the discussion on what changing priorities mean for the direction of your research and related activities through the lens of academic freedom. See, from the past two weeks, Part 1 on basic vs. applied research and Part 2 on outreach and education.

Freedom of speech or, more broadly, freedom of expression, was perhaps the most important and the most American value upon which this Nation was founded. This ethos has persisted for centuries. I was born in Philadelphia, and childhood trips to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell drove this point home from an early age.

While a child can understand freedom of speech at a basic level, when moving into adulthood one finds that academic freedom is a natural extension of that freedom. Although not being prosecuted for voicing prohibited words or opinions is important, it is also important to ensure that those on the forefront of generating new knowledge can explore that territory, even if their findings may be contrary to official positions, popular opinion or cultural norms.

To ensure that academics can push the boundaries of knowledge with as little obstruction as possible, the tenure system was established. A tenured position provides a researcher with a safe space from which to explore. 

While that system itself has lately become somewhat more vulnerable, remember that it was put in place to support academic freedom. Even if you do not have tenure, it is important to recognize this. While you may not have been told that you cannot research certain topics, in STEM, where research almost always requires funding, being cut off from funding affects your academic freedom.

Under any federal administration, there have been topics that were unlikely to receive funding. This has always been true. However, the across-the-board bans on use of certain words, and on research on certain topics, along with the top-down nature of these prohibitions, are what make the current situation more troubling.

It’s normal to feel conflicted at a time like this. There are issues that you will not be willing to compromise on, and some where you may. What those are will depend on your career stage, how vulnerable your own employment situation is, or other factors.

Speak with peers and mentors about about their adjustments to ongoing or planned research. This is a time when brainstorming and bouncing ideas off each other can help. At the same time, understand that the approach you choose must be right for you at this point in your career. There are going to be more grey areas than there are clearly ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ decisions. So, get those ideas and perspectives from others but in the end you must make the decisions that feel right for you.

It's also a good time to remember that face-to-face conversations and, potentially, phone calls can ensure more privacy for such discussions than other types of communication. Especially if you are at a public institution, you might not have the expectation of privacy in your emails. Be careful what you put in writing.

To repeat from our two prior newsletters: We must wait and see how things play out in the months ahead. There’s growing public awareness of the impacts of cuts to clinical trials, cancer and environmental research, among others. And, regrettably, of occasional punitive measures for “offenders.”

Are you a new assistant professor?

If you are new to the role of assistant professor or you are applying for these positions, check out the next in a series of videos on the critical mindset shifts you must make for success in your new role. Here I discuss moving from reactive mode to strategic thinking and planning.

When you are ready, here’s how we can help

Need to get your research funded, this year? Check out our 12-week program to get you there.

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