Donald Trump’s presidency has been full of controversies, from immigration policies to trade deals. However, one area that has been largely overlooked is his administration’s impact on education and knowledge production. According to sociologist Philip N. Cohen, Trump’s executive actions have not only focused on short-term implications, but also represent a concerted effort to undermine scientific enquiry across all fields of research.
Trump’s disdain for science and expertise is no secret. During his campaign, he famously declared climate change as a “hoax” and promised to withdraw the US from the Paris Climate Agreement. He has also consistently defunded and disregarded scientific research and organizations, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institutes of Health.
In his first year in office, Trump has taken several executive actions that directly affect the education and research landscape. One of the most notable ones is the travel ban that has hindered the entry of students and scholars from several Muslim-majority countries. This has not only disrupted the education plans of these individuals but has also created a chilling effect, deterring them from coming to the US in the first place.
Furthermore, Trump has also proposed cutting the budget for education and research programs, such as the National Science Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities. These cuts would severely impact the ability of researchers to conduct their work and contribute to the advancement of knowledge.
But it’s not just about budget cuts and travel bans. Trump’s actions have also targeted specific fields of research, particularly social sciences. He has expressed a preference for funding only “hard” sciences, such as engineering and medicine, while disregarding the value of social science research.
This aligns with his “common sense” approach, where he believes that decisions should be based on intuition and personal experience rather than scientific evidence. Cohen argues that this is a deliberate effort to undermine the importance of rigorous research in informing policy decisions.
In fact, Trump has already taken steps to limit the use of social science research in policy-making. In June 2017, he signed an executive order that would create a task force to identify regulations that are “burdensome” for businesses. The task force would be led by the Office of Management and Budget and its members would be required to prioritize “general knowledge” over “methodological standards.”
This move has been met with widespread criticism from the scientific community. Twenty-four organizations, including the American Statistical Association and the American Sociological Association, wrote a letter to the Office of Management and Budget expressing their concerns about the effects of this executive order on evidence-based policy making.
This battle between “common sense” and rigorous research is not new, but Trump’s actions have brought it to the forefront. By devaluing social science research, he is not only dismissing the work of thousands of researchers but also hindering the progress of important social issues.
Social science research is crucial in understanding complex social problems and finding evidence-based solutions. It has played a significant role in informing policies related to education, healthcare, immigration, and more. By undermining the importance of social science, Trump is essentially jeopardizing the progress and well-being of society.
Moreover, his actions have also created a hostile environment for researchers. The travel ban, budget cuts, and attacks on specific fields have created a sense of uncertainty and fear among academics. This could lead to a brain drain as talented researchers may choose to work in other countries where their work is valued.
It is clear that Trump’s executive actions have far-reaching implications for education and knowledge production. But beyond the short-term consequences, it is a deliberate effort to silence scientific inquiry and promote a narrow-minded, anti-intellectual agenda.
It is up to us, as a community of researchers and educators, to resist these attacks on our work and stand up for the value of social science. We must continue to conduct rigorous research and disseminate our findings to the public, policymakers, and other stakeholders. We must also come together and take a stand against policies that hinder the progress of knowledge.
In the face of these challenges, it is important to remember that the pursuit of knowledge is more important than ever. As social scientists, our work has the power to shape policies and make a positive impact on society. Let’s not let Trump’s war on social science discourage us from our mission. Let’s continue to push boundaries, challenge assumptions, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge, for the betterment of society and future generations.
