Donald Trump’s ‘war on woke’ is fast becoming a war on science. That’s incredibly dangerous | Christina Pagel

Contrary to claims by the US president, we have found that diversity initiatives result in better scientists and greater progress

• Christina Pagel is a member of Independent Sage

Donald Trump's attacks on diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) initiatives since his January inauguration have been intense, indiscriminate and escalating. A tragic plane crash was baselessly blamed on DEI. All DEI programmes within public bodies have been ended and private contractors face cancellation if they also don't comply. Webpages that defend religious diversity in the context of Holocaust remembrance have been taken down.

Science and academia have been particularly targeted. Universities are threatened with losing federal funding if they support DEI. Government reports and government-funded research are being held back if they include prohibited terms such as gender", pregnant person", women", elderly", or disabled". Grants funded by the National Institutes of Health are being cancelled if they address diversity, equality or inclusion in any form.

Christina Pagel is a professor of operational research within UCL's clinical operational research unit. She is also a member of Independent Sage and vice president and EDI lead for the UK Operational Research Society

This article is based on a new report by Independent Sage on the importance of DEI in science. Christina Pagel led the report, but all members of Independent Sage contributed

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