Get the latest tech news

Australian academics refuse to attend US conferences for fear of being detained

‘When academics fear travelling or partnering with US institutions, the impacts ripple through the entire global knowledge ecosystem,’ one says

Australia’s National Tertiary Education Union said it had received multiple reports from members that US policy shifts have caused academics to cancel travel, while others have had planned research partnerships terminated with little explanation. Separately, on Friday, the host of the cybersecurity podcast Risky Business, Patrick Gray, posted to Bluesky that he had cancelled a planned trip from Australia to the IT security conference RSA due to take place in San Francisco in April. According to Smartraveller, which provides advice on behalf of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, customs and border protection have strict requirements and “broad powers” for temporary detainment or deportation when assessing eligibility.

Get the Android app