Dutch Education Minister Eppo Bruins has expressed his concern to parliament regarding questionnaires sent by the US Geological Survey to two Wageningen University researchers. These questionnaires contained politically charged questions about their work.
The researchers were asked about their organization’s affiliation with communist, socialist, or totalitarian parties, or any anti-American groups. They were also questioned on whether their research project addressed climate or environmental rights, if they took appropriate measures to protect women against “gender ideology,” and if it aimed to combat Christian persecution. The scientists are collaborating with the US Geological Survey on a forest monitoring project using satellites.
Leiden University issued a warning to its academics advising them not to complete the questionnaire. Caspar van den Berg, head of the Dutch universities association, described the questionnaire as indicative of a “worsening climate” for scientific freedom in the US and said it is impacting Dutch universities and researchers, emphasizing the need to stand together for free science.
Minister Bruins has requested the UNL (Universiteiten van Nederland) to compile a list of researchers who have received such questionnaires. He has also tasked the economic affairs ministry with investigating whether companies involved in research have received similar inquiries. Bruins stated that research funders have the right to verify the legality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the funds they provide. However, these inquiries must not restrict academic freedom or violate scientific integrity.
The minister expects universities to take legal action if there is a breach of contract between a Dutch institution and an international funder. He stated that should another country impose requirements that put academic freedom in the Netherlands under pressure through its international cooperation with Dutch institutions, he, as the responsible minister, would engage in dialogue with representatives of the country in question.
A UNL spokesman mentioned that they were only aware of the Wageningen researchers’ case. However, the spokesman noted the impact of the evolving US policy towards science and academia is palpable, with some funding for joint projects already withdrawn. In April, it was revealed that the US embassy in The Hague contacted its suppliers, requesting them to declare whether their diversity policies align with the former US president’s “anti-diversity decree”.