Christopher Exstrom
@solarguy114.bsky.social
Christian, chemistry professor, big fan of wine tasting and Seinfield. I follow higher ed news in academic freedom and faculty governance.
For my fellow @pftompkins.bsky.social fans!
August 1, 2025 at 11:54 PM
For my fellow @pftompkins.bsky.social fans!
Reposted by Christopher Exstrom
If we stop calling these “grants” and start calling them “contracts,” it’s clearer to people why this is such an abuse of power. This wasn’t a bunch of gifts. This was a bunch of binding contracts between researchers and the US govt for specific agreed upon projects.
Research into quantum mechanics, volcanic eruptions and all sorts of other studies already underway canceled for no reason - a waste of resources, loss of innovation and undercutting expertise across multiple fields.
NEW: The National Science Foundation last week terminated 196 grants to Harvard amid the university's feud with Trump.
“Pure retribution,” one NSF employee told me of the administration axing $46 million in unfinished research. www.huffpost.com/entry/nation...
“Pure retribution,” one NSF employee told me of the administration axing $46 million in unfinished research. www.huffpost.com/entry/nation...
May 20, 2025 at 11:37 PM
If we stop calling these “grants” and start calling them “contracts,” it’s clearer to people why this is such an abuse of power. This wasn’t a bunch of gifts. This was a bunch of binding contracts between researchers and the US govt for specific agreed upon projects.
I am heartened to see this - it rightly shows that shared governance and process speak more to the core of faculty attitudes than artificial “ideological diversity”. Despite what right-wing media and orgs say, 99% of what we do has nothing to do with partisan politics.
Resignations, Disagreements With Dean Roil Chapel Hill Civics School
UNC professors who supported the initiative when others derided it are resigning and denouncing its leader. It’s an ironic turn for a civil discourse school. #HigherEd #EDUSky #AcademicSky bit.ly/4bCStkb
UNC professors who supported the initiative when others derided it are resigning and denouncing its leader. It’s an ironic turn for a civil discourse school. #HigherEd #EDUSky #AcademicSky bit.ly/4bCStkb
Resignations, Disagreements With Dean Roil UNC Civics School
UNC professors who supported the initiative when others derided it are resigning and denouncing its leader. It’s an ironic turn for a civil discourse school.
bit.ly
March 20, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I am heartened to see this - it rightly shows that shared governance and process speak more to the core of faculty attitudes than artificial “ideological diversity”. Despite what right-wing media and orgs say, 99% of what we do has nothing to do with partisan politics.
Reposted by Christopher Exstrom
I know you support FIRE as a free speech org but they are one of the biggest proponents of separating protest from speech as protected and it is hurting the first amendment.
March 4, 2025 at 3:28 PM
I know you support FIRE as a free speech org but they are one of the biggest proponents of separating protest from speech as protected and it is hurting the first amendment.
This is where we are at on free speech? (I am the one replying to Douthat.)
February 17, 2025 at 12:00 AM
This is where we are at on free speech? (I am the one replying to Douthat.)
Excellent article - organizations like FIRE who refuse to make this distinction are actually doing more harm to academia than good.
There is a difference between academic freedom and free speech that I don't think most folks are cognizant of.
rodgraham.substack.com/p/the-differ...
rodgraham.substack.com/p/the-differ...
December 24, 2024 at 12:55 PM
Excellent article - organizations like FIRE who refuse to make this distinction are actually doing more harm to academia than good.