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Document Type
Report
Date of this Version
10-8-2026
Citation
Ithaka S+R report, October 8, 2026
doi: 10.18665/sr.326337
Abstract
Executive summary
The research enterprise in the United States, established after the second world war, is experiencing massive disruption. US colleges and universities are grappling with federal and state disinvestment and intervention at a time when AI and other technologies are reshaping how research is conducted and its findings are communicated. As a result, researchers at US higher education institutions are operating in an unstable environment. Against this backdrop, the findings from our survey of 4,003 researchers, fielded in late 2025, demonstrate that they remain committed to carrying out essential work and that they are doing so in innovative ways—through collaboration, the creation of valuable educational experiences, and pushing knowledge towards the next frontier. While researchers don’t necessarily agree on how their sector should respond to the changing environment, our findings underscore the importance of stability, continuity, and sustained investment.
Included in
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Commons, Higher Education Commons, Intellectual Property Law Commons, Scholarly Communication Commons, Scholarly Publishing Commons
Comments
Open access
License: CC BY-NC 4.0