In recent weeks, Australian researchers began receiving a questionnaire.

Sent by the US government, it asked things like “can you confirm that this is no DEI?” and “Can you confirm this is not a climate or environmental justice project?”

The questions were seeking to determine whether Australian research, co-funded by the United States, was complying with Donald Trump’s promise to cut funding from projects that support a “woke” agenda.

The move has been labelled as “foreign interference” and raises questions about the independence and sustainability of Australian research.

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on why Australian research needs a new backer – and what the government should be doing about it.

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Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton

Photo: Mark Syke-VIEW / Alamy