Help scientists ousted by America’s attack on knowledge 

Dear Leaders of Higher Education in Canada, 

I write this letter with a plea for action to welcome endangered academics from the United States to Canada. 

I am a naturalized Canadian who has just returned to Canada from the front line of the illogical and inhumane dismantlement of public service and knowledge by the Trump administration. After working at Dalhousie University almost for 20 years, in October 2022 I was recruited by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in the United States, the world’s largest research hospital, to expand my research on health inequalities and ethics as an “in-house” scholar (called the intramural research program). Since January this year it became, logistically and intellectually, painfully difficult to do my work, which, with its focus on equity, fairness and justice, is the diametrical opposite to what the Trump administration promotes.  

To list a few: Academic freedom has been infringed. There is a list of banned words (e.g. gender; diversity, equity and inclusion) and a list of words pressured to be erased. Extreme uncertainty has been intentionally and consistently created. On one day in March, I lost half-a-million dollars in funding, without notice. On one day in April, the chief of my department was removed from NIH without reason. On June 30, I resigned from NIH and returned to Canada. 

I was fortunate enough to be offered new employment in Canada at McMaster University starting April 1, 2026. Many of my colleagues in the United States, especially junior colleagues, are not as lucky. There are many Canadian scholars in the United States who are considering coming back to Canada or may soon be forced to do so. There are many non-Canadian academics whose options may soon be either abandoning an academic career or leaving the country. Many of my American colleagues are struggling to do their work on health equity or any topics that the current administration deems inappropriate (e.g. climate change, vaccine research) because of a fear of retribution, pressure from their institutions, and, simply, lack of funding. There is an added uncertainty of immigration status among those whose origins are elsewhere but who made their academic careers in the United States. 

What is happening right now is an attack against science, knowledge and the public good. As non-Americans, we may not be able to save academic institutions in the United States. But we must not let the United States destroy what we value as citizens — science, knowledge, and the public good — which are the foundation for human flourishing and economic prosperity in Canada and elsewhere in the world. Furthermore, at this critical historic juncture, Canada should have a vision and strive to explore a new social order, systems and function. For such exploration, we need creative people. As Canada welcomed me and allowed me to grow, now, as a Canadian, I would like to welcome others to create a better Canada. 

This letter is ambitious but not naïve. I am aware of the difficult economic situation Canada is in and will be for the coming years. I am aware of the challenging times Canadian universities are facing. Still, I beg you to take a long-term and broad perspective because it is critical to set priorities right at this difficult time. I beg you to find a solution collectively with other leaders of higher education to welcome endangered academics from the United States to Canada. 

If you are willing, I would be thrilled to discuss further my experience and thoughts. Please reach out to me at [email protected]. 

Yours sincerely, 

Yukiko Asada, Ph.D.