Dive Brief:
- Presidents and chancellors of the Association of American Universities released a statement Tuesday following their spring meeting, calling for the affirmation of the partnership between the federal government and American universities toward scientific advancement.
- The statement focused on the economic impact, job growth, national health and security benefits of partnering to advance research, and said proposed cuts would "cripple our ability to do our part in generating economic growth and providing more jobs for Americans."
- Leaders appealed to the national imperative to remain first in the world, saying that if funding for research grants is cut, the nation will not remain competitive in advancing technology, cures for major diseases and creating and sustaining jobs of the future.
Dive Insight:
It is no secret that many in higher ed, particularly at research institutions, are concerned about the proposed cuts to agencies that fund science, but there has also been a considerable amount of concern around the prevailing rhetoric that seems to discredit and de-emphasize scientific fact. The AAU statement, however, was framed perfectly in language that the current administration, legislature and voting public can understand: economic impact and job creation.
The broader takeaway for leaders in higher education here is in employing resonant rhetoric to convey your message to elected officials to win over champions for the institution. Whether people are immediately concerned about what can sometimes come across as lofty research questions, tapping into the desire for job creation — particularly in energy — will likely help garner wider-spread public support for the cause.