7am The real impact of Trump's cuts to Australian research
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Mar 30, 2025 Rick Morton, a senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, dives into the concerning impact of Trump-era funding cuts on Australian research. He reveals how a recent US government questionnaire is pressing researchers to conform to a 'non-woke' agenda, raising alarms about foreign interference. Morton highlights the precarious state of Australian universities grappling with diminishing resources and missed collaboration opportunities, questioning the government’s response to these challenges and the implications for the future of innovation in Australia.
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US Questionnaire
- Australian researchers received a bizarre 36-question survey from the US government.
- The questionnaire assesses if projects, even co-funded ones, align with Trump's 'anti-woke' agenda.
Foreign Interference Concerns
- The US government's questionnaire targets funding for projects deemed 'woke'.
- This has raised concerns about foreign interference and the sustainability of Australian research.
University Funding Cuts
- Six of Australia's eight most research-intensive universities have faced US funding cuts.
- The ANU's Vice-Chancellor confirmed the questionnaires and funding cuts.