Decades of fossil fuel influence paved way for Trump’s assault on university research, study says
Fossil fuel firms have spent years trying to regulate climate research by donating to US universities, study authors argue
TL;DR
- Decades of influence from libertarian donors and fossil fuel companies have reshaped university governance and increased outside influence.
- University autonomy has eroded, making colleges more vulnerable to corporate interests, especially in climate and energy research.
- The Trump administration froze research funding, investigated institutions, and pushed for agreements supporting its policies.
- Academic freedom and institutional autonomy in the US have significantly declined.
- Fossil fuel companies have funded research to sow doubt about public health impacts and legitimize industry solutions to the climate crisis.
- Libertarian donor networks have influenced program content, faculty hiring, and university governing bodies.
- State legislatures have attempted to limit faculty power through legislation targeting tenure and governance.
- Universities must disclose donor contributions and influence and empower faculty to reject funding that undermines their public mission.
- Model gift-acceptance policies can give faculty a say in accepting conditional gifts and ensure transparency.