Global Academic Cold War and Developments in Higher Education
Examining how global geopolitical competitions affect higher education and science diplomacy, addressing challenges in the US and democratic changes in Europe.
A new academic cold war process is underway, where global geopolitical competitions and rising neo-nationalism are profoundly impacting higher education and science diplomacy.
Global Geopolitics and Academic Impacts
The emergence of a new academic cold war is closely linked to global geopolitical competitions that directly affect higher education institutions and science diplomacy.
This process has been triggered by traumas such as the September 11 attacks, refugee crises, neo-nationalist movements, the return of Russia and China as rivals, Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Donald Trump's return to the US presidency.
Democratic Changes in European Politics
Political shifts in Europe stand out as promising developments against divisive populist movements.
While Poland has taken steps toward a more centrist and pro-EU government, a new administration has come to power in Hungary, and a center-left shift has occurred in Swedish politics.
Higher Education and Administrative Tension in the US
The higher education community in America is resisting the administration's policies through litigation battles and the rejection of proposed academic excellence contracts.
Conversely, the administration continues to exercise executive authority by utilizing IRS sanctions targeting non-profit tax statuses and overseeing research funding through political appointments.
Global Resilience and Open Science Networks
Despite these pressures and academic nationalism, balancing forces on a global scale continue to protect the independence of science and research.
The resilience of the open science movement, resilient international research networks such as CERN, and researcher mobility facilitated through scientific diasporas contribute to this resistance.