Overseas job applications from US-based higher-education staff rose 21% in 2025, with the UK receiving the largest share of growth, according to Times Higher Education Unijobs data. Researchers attribute the uptick to political pressure on campuses—labelled a 'Trump effect' by analysts—alongside funding uncertainties and public campaign against DEI programs, which some say have depressed morale and pushed scholars to look overseas. Experts caution that sustained outflows could erode US research capacity over time as leading faculty and early-career academics accept positions in Europe, Hong Kong and Australia, amplifying talent competition for research universities globally.