Universities plead on academics not to fill in Trump's questionnaire

Does your organisation collaborate with groups affiliated with communist, socialist or totalitarian parties, or with any other party that holds anti-American views? Can you confirm that this research project is not about climate or environmental rights or does not contain such elements? Does this research project take appropriate measures to protect and defend women against gender ideology?

These are just three of the 36 questions that two scientists from Wageningen University found in their mailboxes at the beginning of March, according to the Dutch newspaper NRC. The two scientists are working with the US Geological Survey (USGS) on a project that uses satellites to monitor the condition of forests. The USGS sent them the questionnaire on behalf of the American government.

"Some of the questions really give you goosebumps," one of the two researchers said to Wageningen University's magazine, Resource, which posted the questionnaire online. Wageningen warned the other universities, which were advised not to fill in the questionnaire. The National Association of Universities (UNL) is keeping an eye on the situation, though it has not heard of any other scientists having received the same questionnaire. UNL chair Caspar van den Berg says the questions are "typical of the deteriorating climate for the free practice of science in the US."

Language use
US President Donald Trump wants to cut billions of dollars from research into climate, gender, health and the environment, among other subjects. Research applications are therefore being screened for "problematic language use" related to diversity, equality and inclusivity.

The President of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Marileen Dogterom, said on the TV show Focus that  it is "almost impossible to comprehend the speed at which science policy is being dismantled in the US." Anja Schreijer, Medical Director of the Dutch Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness Centre, has noticed that her American peers are afraid to speak freely. "They can only do so on the weekend on their private phones. They are afraid of losing their jobs or funding."