On August 29, 2025, CSHE Senior Research Fellow John Aubrey Douglass delivered a keynote speech at the European Higher Education Society Forum, held at Utrecht University. His speech, titled “Universities as the Enemy: How Rhetoric and Policies are Eroding Open Science,” was a central highlight of the event.
More information about the Forum can be found here.
We're pleased to share our 2024-25 annual report, which highlights an incredible year of progress and collaboration. This report reflects our growth and the profound impact we've made together—from our latest research and expanded community of scholars to active outreach initiatives. We invite you to explore the pages that follow to see how our work is helping to shape the future of higher education.
The Center for Studies in Higher Education (CSHE) is looking to hire an Executive Director for our Executive Leadership Academy (ELA). Over the past 15 years, ELA has grown into a prestigious program under the leadership of Josefina Baltodano, graduating 623 fellows who are now shaping the future of higher education.
With Josie's retirement, we are seeking the next visionary servant leader to take the helm and guide ELA into its next chapter. We invite qualified candidates to view the job description and apply.
The battle between the Trump administration and the University of California over a proposed $1 billion fine is more than just a legal dispute—it's a critical moment for the future of America's public research universities.CSHE Senior Research Fellow John Aubrey Douglassdives into why this case is important and what it could mean for institutions nationwide.
Commentary by our Senior Research Fellow, John Aubrey Douglass, reveals how politically motivated policies from the Trump administration—including visa restrictions, rhetoric, and threats to research funding—are causing a significant decline in international student enrollment. Douglass argues these actions are not only damaging to American universities but also pose a substantial risk to the US economy and its ability to attract top global talent.
CSHE Senior Research Fellow John Aubrey Douglass discussed the recent Department of Justice's filing against UCLA and what it means for the US higher education.
CSHE faculty affiliates Jonathan Glater and Jennifer Delaney discussed the implications of student loan caps with The Daily Californian.
https://www.dailycal.org/news/national/federal-government-removes-pell-g...
Jesse Rothstein recently shared critical insights into university financial operations during an interview with Julia Barajas from LAist, Southern California Public Radio's digital news and culture platform.
In this timely discussion, Rothstein clarified how college budgets function, underscored the vital importance of research grants, and addressed the significant financial challenges universities are currently navigating under the present administration.
CSHE Faculty Affiliate Zachary Bleemer (Princeton University) published a co-authored paper at the National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper Series.
Title: CHANGES IN THE COLLEGE MOBILITY PIPELINE SINCE 1900
CSHE welcomes applications from scholars and researchers in higher education from all over the world to conduct research related to the Center’s areas of expertise. We provide a scholarly home for Visiting Scholars for periods of one to 12 months. Short-term visits can also be arranged by contacting CSHE.
Visiting Scholars fall into three categories:
1. Senior Visiting Scholars, who have completed their Ph.D. more than five years ago;
Berkeley, CA – The UC Berkeley Center for Studies in Higher Education (CSHE) is delighted to feature the impactful work of the Possibility Lab, a fellow research lab under the Goldman School of Public Policy, in their recent project: "Stories of Resilience and Transformation."
This compelling initiative centers on a collection of student narratives, offering invaluable insights into the lived experiences of students as well as capturing the nuanced realities of navigating higher education today.
BERKELEY, CA – The Center for Studies in Higher Education (CSHE) today announced the release of a new paper in the Research and Occasional Paper Series (ROPS) that critically examines the escalating student housing crisis. The paper, titled "Crisis by Design," delves into how the proliferation of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and the financialization of student housing are reshaping access and equity in higher education.
CSHE Senior Research Fellow John Aubrey Douglass shared insights on the current higher education landscape with the Cal Alumni Magazine.
CSHE Senior Resarch Fellow John Aubrey Douglass discusses the role of Congress in stopping the Trump administration's attack on American higher education.
The Chronicle spoke with Eaton about his latest paper Elite Embeddedness and what his work can tell us about how America got to this point in its views of college.
Applications for fall 2025 Gardner Fellowships and Gardner Seminar for UC doctoral students are now open!
For detailed information, please visit: https://cshe.berkeley.edu/training/gardner-program
"Garcia believes that regardless of whether the lawsuit is successful, it’s already done damage to HSIs by dragging them—and enrollment-based MSIs in general—into the country’s political skirmishes over diversity, equity and inclusion.
She worries that students are the ones who will suffer if HSIs no longer receive dedicated funding.
"Garcia (2019) noted that while the federal government defines what constitutes an HSI–a full-time undergraduate enrollment in which 25% of students identify as Latinx–it offers no guidance on what servingness actually means or looks like. Garcia advises HSI leaders to take a holistic and multi-dimensional perspective on servingness and to ensure indicators of servingness are reflected in institutional structures such as their mission and purpose, leadership practices, polices, curriculum, co-curricular offerings, and advancement activities.
"John Aubrey Douglass, a senior research fellow and research professor at Berkeley’s Center for Studies in Higher Education, notes that Project 2025, the 900-page policy proposal that Trump disavowed connection to during his campaign, included plans to eviscerate or dismantle the Department of Education, order an end to DEI programs, and revoke certain foreign students’ visas—all of which is now being carried out."
“While Harvard is the victim of the moment, it’s a warning and unprecedented attempt of a hostile federal government to erode the autonomy of all major universities in the U.S.,” said John Aubrey Douglass, a senior research fellow at the Center for Studies in Higher Education at the University of California, Berkeley.
