<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/14/australian-university-sector-accuses-trump-administration-of-blatant-interference-in-research>
"The Trump administration has been accused of “blatant foreign interference” in
Australia’s universities after researchers who receive US funding were asked to
confirm they aligned with US government interests, including only recognising
two genders.
The questionnaire, sent to university researchers over the past fortnight,
seeks a response within 48 hours to more than 30 questions to support “program
determinations”, according to a copy of the questionnaire seen by
Guardian
Australia. The questions relate to the priorities of the Trump administration,
including whether the organisation receives funding from China, whether there
are DEI elements, and whether the project is taking “appropriate measures” to
defend against “gender ideology” in line with Trump’s executive order on
gender.
The questionnaires were distributed by various federal agencies on behalf of an
executive memo from the office of the president, requiring them to identify all
funding was consistent with “policies and requirements”.
Separately, six sandstone universities represented by the Group of Eight have
already had research grants suspended or terminated in line with changes
introduced by the Trump administration, according to the Go8. Researchers were
notified shortly after the US election that the projects, which spanned a range
of topics from agriculture to foreign aid and diversity and equity, had been
cancelled under higher education cuts, pending a review.
The chief executive of the Go8, Vicki Thomson, said the body was “extremely
concerned” about the implications of the Trump administration’s policy,
particularly for health and medical research and defence collaboration.
“Go8 universities are deeply engaged in collaborative activities with the US,
especially through our defence initiatives and the Aukus alliance,” she said.
“For every one of our members, the US is the largest research partner by far.”
The Go8 has sought Australian government intervention and last week wrote to
the chair of the US House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Brian
Babin, for guidance and an extension of time to respond to the requirements.
The questionnaire seeks to confirm university projects don’t work with “any
party that espouses anti-American beliefs”, or whether they have received “ANY
funding from the PRC”, including Confucius Institutes and Chinese state or
non-state actors.
It also asks whether research is a “no DEI project” or a “climate or
‘environmental justice’ project”, as well as ensuring it takes “appropriate
measures to protect women and to defend against gender ideology” and combats
“Christian prosecution”."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
