“A significant loss for knowledge production”

In the USA, crucial research on gender equality, democracy, climate, and medicine is at risk of being halted due to ideological interference from the Trump administration. Jan-Gunnar Winther, Pro-rector for research and development at UiT, believes this could lead to a number of unfortunate consequences, but also sees new opportunities.

People standing in line holding posters — Employees at UiT in Tromsø showed solidarity with American colleagues during the "Stand up for science" event. Photo: Hanne Karde / UiT.

Bredesen, Kim kim.bredesen@uit.no Rådgiver

Published: 17.03.25 15:00 Updated: 19.03.25 10:41

International cooperation Society

On 13 March, staff at UiT in Tromsø held a demonstration under the slogan "Stand up for science". The initiator of the action was Ketil Zachariassen, Associate Professor in modern history at UiT.

"Research and science are under severe pressure in the USA, along with academic freedom and the foundation for a functioning democracy. We know what is at stake. Their struggle is also our struggle. Showing solidarity with our American colleagues is the least we can do", he says.

Zachariassen and his colleagues wanted to show solidarity with colleagues in the USA who have been subjected to increasing restrictions and interference. The Trump administration's measures include freezing government research funding and direct attempts to halt research related to certain academic concepts or topics.

At the demonstration, UiT's Rector Dag Rune Olsen rejected what he considers political interference in academia by the Trump administration. He urged people to stand up for academic freedom.

“It is an attack on everything academia, in a liberal sense, stands for, on the entire idea, which we steadfastly support. It is about bringing forth different viewpoints, different voices, which can challenge each other to reach new understanding. We cannot have censorship in advance of expressions, positions, or themes. That would undermine the very foundation of academia”, Olsen said.

A loss for knowledge production

Co-publication with Researchers from the USA

From 2011 to 2023, UiT researchers co-published 1,322 academic articles with colleagues from 281 research institutions in the USA.
This accounts for 21 percent of all research articles published by UiT researchers during this period.
The fields that rank highest in research collaboration are geosciences, biosciences, and various branches of medical research.

UiT is closely intertwined with American universities, which is reflected in both research and educational collaborations. UiT has established exchange agreements with 13 research and educational institutions in the USA. From 2011 to 2023, UiT researchers co-published 1,322 academic articles with colleagues at 281 research institutions in the USA. This accounts for 21 percent of all research articles published by UiT researchers during this period.

The top fields in research collaboration are geosciences, biosciences, and various forms of medical research.

The actions of the Trump administration have had consequences on many levels and may also affect UiT's collaboration with American partners.

The operations of research programmes at American universities, which are of significant international importance, have been considerably reduced. Researchers have been cut off from working on a range of fields and topics related to equality, democracy, climate, and medicine, among others.

“The loss of American expertise, data, and funding would be a significant blow to knowledge production that is essential for developing sustainable societies worldwide”.

A number of leading researchers in the USA, particularly in climate research, have been or are at risk of being dismissed. Both research data and scientific articles from the USA are increasingly being removed from databases and websites.

To prevent the loss of important information, research communities in both Norway and Europe have initiated measures to download and preserve as much of this material as possible.

Jan-Gunnar Winther, Pro-rector for Research and Development at UiT, points out that previously influential American research communities are becoming increasingly absent on an international level. He believes this could lead to a number of unfortunate ripple effects.

“The loss of American expertise, data, and funding would be a significant blow to knowledge production that is essential for developing sustainable societies worldwide. One example is climate research, where we now risk slowing down the necessary transition. Another area is health”, says Winther.

People standing in a semi-circle listening to a speaker. — UiT's Rector, Dag Rune Olsen, speaks during the "Stand up for Science" event at UiT's campus in Tromsø. Foto: Hanne Karde / UiT.

A challenging and unpredictable picture

The new policies of the Trump administration have also affected the University of Alaska, in Anchorage and Fairbanks, which are important partners for UiT. Recently, the university's board decided to remove references to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from their websites.

For Winther, this is one of several events that raise concern.

“If, in the long term, this leads to selection and censorship that contradicts academic freedom, it will be unacceptable. However, I would also emphasise that we must not draw hasty conclusions; the current situation is both challenging and, above all, unpredictable”, Winther stresses.

Problem could become an opportunity

The dismissal of leading researchers at American universities also presents a unique challenge. Currently, UiT has not planned to establish arrangements or positions that would allow these researchers to continue their work in Norway. However, according to Winther, this is a challenge that could quickly lead to new initiatives. He believes it is reasonable to expect that a significant number of American students and researchers will seek opportunities abroad, and issues related to how they can be received are now being discussed in the EU.

“We will certainly be proactive in offering stays in Norway. It is also expected that the flow of students will change in nature and be less directed towards the USA in the future. This means that the academic centres of gravity internationally will change in character. This appears to be a problem for the USA and could present new opportunities for Europe and Norway”, concludes Winther.

Bredesen, Kim kim.bredesen@uit.no Rådgiver

Published: 17.03.25 15:00 Updated: 19.03.25 10:41

International cooperation Society

Seminar: Hvordan Sahel-regionen er blitt endret på grunn av terrorisme og politisk ustabilitet/ How the Sahel region has been transformed because of terrorism and political instability NORWEGIAN: Flere stater i Sahel-regionen i Nord og Vest-Afrika har helt siden 2012 vært utsatt for store påkjenninger og politisk ustabilitet, på grunn av fremveksten av terroristgrupper. På dette seminaret skal forskere fra UiT dele funn fra sin forskning på bakgrunnen for konflikten og hvordan den rammer lokalsamfunn. ENGLISH: Several states in the Sahel region of North and West Africa have, since 2012, been subjected to significant strains and political instability due to the emergence of terrorist groups. At this seminar, researchers from UiT will share findings from their research on the background of the conflict and how it affects local communities.

Arctic Six Extended: Forum on Arctic security Global warming and geopolitical tensions are creating new challenges for communities in the Arctic. This forum will highlight how we can find sustainable solutions for security and resilience in the region.