Several prominent American scholars have relocated to Canadian institutions, particularly the University of Toronto, as they seek academic freedom and a stable environment amidst the challenges posed by the Trump administration.
Canadian Universities Attract U.S. Scholars Amid Trump Turmoil
Canadian Universities Attract U.S. Scholars Amid Trump Turmoil
The University of Toronto sees an influx of American professors fleeing the political climate in the U.S. under Trump.
As political tensions heighten in the United States, Canadian universities are becoming a refuge for American scholars seeking safer academic grounds. The University of Toronto has become a particular draw, attracting renowned figures from highly acclaimed U.S. institutions, who are disenchanted with the political climate and threats surrounding higher education under the Trump administration.
Among the scholars making this transition is Timothy Snyder, a respected historian formerly with Yale University, who moved to Toronto for what started as a quest for a "fun adventure." Snyder, along with his wife Marci Shore and fellow professor Jason Stanley, left the U.S. amid growing concerns over free speech and academic integrity under a leadership they claim is hostile to liberal education and inclusive discourse.
In recent months, these scholars have voiced their grievances in a poignant New York Times video opinion piece entitled, “We Study Fascism, and We’re Leaving the U.S.” They emphasize the precarious position of U.S. institutions, which face allegations of harboring “haters of America” from the Trump administration, alongside potential policy changes that could expel international students and limit funding.
Joining Snyder and Shore at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs is Brian Rathbun and Nina Srinivasan Rathbun, who previously taught at the University of Southern California. This trend reflects a growing comfort with Canada's more liberal academic stance, as American universities grapple with protests, shifts in student enrollment, and a climate increasingly viewed as hostile to progressive ideals.
As this situation unfolds, the cross-border movement of academics has sparked discussions in both countries about the state of higher education and the importance of safeguarding academic freedoms. Canadian institutions now stand as a beacon for those caught in the tumult of U.S. politics, inviting thought leaders to contribute to a more robust and diverse intellectual landscape.
