Statement by Rector Sebastian Schütze on US higher education policy

In the US, large parts of the university and research landscape have come under pressure from new government regulations. Individual branches of research are facing budget cuts, and visas are also being called into question. "There is huge uncertainty in the US," said the rector of the University of Vienna, Sebastian Schütze, to the Austrian Press Agency (APA). As Austrian and European institutions, we have to confront this – but at the same time, it also opens up interesting recruitment opportunities.

In the US, for example, universities and research institutions that deal with climate research or certain medical issues fear for their funding. In general, areas that are under "wokeness suspicion" are observed. The University of Vienna has already received individual inquiries from affected researchers, Schütze reported. "People are already sending their CVs. This will increase in the coming months."

However, the rector emphasized that this must also be seen in a larger context. "It's not just about research funding, but about the freedom of science as a whole." For example, scientists in Europe who receive funding from the USA for cooperation projects already receive questionnaires from official bodies in the USA. "They are asked, for example, whether gender and diversity play a role in research or whether climate change is an issue." So far, no such letter has been received at the University of Vienna, but it is probably only a matter of time: "It leaves you speechless."

These developments require a clear European response, Schütze said. Institutions must make it clear that this is not compatible with academic freedom.

At the same time, however, this situation would naturally create recruitment opportunities. "It is important to be quick and to be able to offer alternatives," says the rector. The University of Vienna is therefore bringing forward announcements of already planned professorships in order to take advantage of these opportunities. To this end, the university is in contact with ASCINA, the Association of Austrian Scientists in North America. Occasionally, researchers working abroad have already approached the university about job opportunities when traveling in the US – "but the desire to return is certainly stronger now."

The University of Chicago is the University of Vienna's most important partner institution in the United States. So far, this collaboration has not caused any problems, but developments are moving so fast that it is difficult to predict what will happen in the future. The University of Chicago has also shown foresight by opening a campus in Paris this fall.