Faculty and administrators face increasing pressures as higher education institutions navigate shifting political and institutional dynamics.

Faculty at New York University, Colby College, Yale University, and George Mason University partnered with NORC to collect qualitative and quantitative data pertaining to how faculty and administrators are navigating the political climate for higher education and science. The study’s researchers seek to understand how scholars, scientists, and institutions balance the sometimes competing demands of academic freedom, scientific integrity, and political imperatives.

NORC will deliver non-partisan, high-quality social science research for the public good, offering evidence that institutions can use to build more inclusive, resilient, and forward-looking academic communities.

Gather quantitative and qualitative data from university faculty and administrators to understand their perspective.

From a purposeful selection of universities across the nation, NORC will administer a brief online survey about the impact of recent social and political changes on university faculty and administrators.  

From the survey participants, NORC will schedule follow-up interviews with faculty and administrators. This mixed-methods design balances the scale of survey data with the nuance of qualitative perspectives. While NORC manages data collection and logistics, the research team will conduct the in-depth interviews and lead the analysis and reporting. This collaborative approach ensures that high-quality survey data will frame the issues explored through qualitative methods by the investigators who will apply their expertise in interpreting findings and advancing dialogue around academic freedom in higher education.