Last week, President Trump signed executive orders terminating federal DEI contracts and grants and federally imposed DEI performance requirements of research grants. What do these orders mean for academic freedom, research funding, and the future of higher education?

Heterodox Academy hosted a timely discussion featuring Joe Cohn, HxA’s Director of Policy, and Anna Krylov, USC Associates Chair in Natural Sciences and Professor of Chemistry at the University of Southern California. Together, they explored:

• What aspects of these executive orders align—or don’t align—with HxA principles.

• The implications for research funding and academic inquiry.

• Potential ripple effects and how higher education can respond thoughtfully.