A new Ithaka S+R survey of 4,000 faculty members finds nearly one-third of researchers say they have altered or censored their research due to state laws restricting the teaching and study of “divisive concepts.” The survey, released this week after state activity accelerated since 2021, suggests researchers in affected states are changing agendas and, in some cases, looking for roles in other jurisdictions. The study reports 29% of respondents in states with “divisive concepts” laws altered research and 10% said they were seeking employment in a different state because of political climate. Researchers in education and nursing were among the most likely to report changes, and self-censorship was reported across nearly all disciplines. The report highlights a governance effect: even when laws focus on DEI offices or identity-based student groups, researchers say institutional anxiety can exceed the legal text. It also flags that some faculty have already experienced federal grant losses. For higher education leaders, the findings point to a measurable academic freedom and research-capacity impact from state curriculum restrictions—raising reputational and compliance issues for universities operating in multiple regulatory environments.