A newly released survey finds nearly one-third of faculty in red states say they have censored their own research due to state “divisive concepts” laws restricting how topics related to race and gender can be taught or studied. Twenty-one states have passed such measures since 2021, according to the survey, with researchers reporting pressure to alter research agendas or consider relocating. The study of 4,000 faculty members, conducted last fall by Ithaka S+R, reported that 29% of respondents living in states with a “divisive concepts” law said they altered their research and 10% said they were looking for jobs in different states. Educators and nursing researchers were among those most likely to report changes, with self-censorship extending across disciplines. The report also highlights a broader climate of fear beyond explicit legal language, noting that even laws targeting DEI offices and identity-based groups can still lead researchers to adjust their work. In addition, 8% of respondents said they lost federal grants at some point in 2025, tying local policy pressure to federal funding uncertainties.