Radiologist researchers' perceptions of year one of U.S. government policies under the Trump administration indicate negative impacts on radiology research overall, a survey has found.
Conducted by invitation beginning November 5, 2025, the survey evaluated how political environments affect scientific research practice, according to Dr. Thomas Kwee, PhD, from University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands and colleagues.
The group approached 5,253 potentially eligible corresponding authors who had published an article in any one of 12 general radiology journals. Findings were published April 24 in Clinical Imaging.
"Shifts in political leadership, such as those occurring during the current Trump administration in the United States (2025-present), have prompted discussion within the scientific community regarding their potential impact on research practice and international cooperation," the authors wrote. "By systematically documenting these perspectives, insight into how political environments may intersect with research practice can be obtained."
Questions focused on radiology researchers' perceptions of their chances of obtaining federal research funding, willingness to collaborate internationally, countries less willing to collaborate, impact of visa and immigration policies, and the effect that political discourse has on the work environment and motivation.
Of the 176 respondents, the largest groups consisted of 97 radiology researchers from Europe, 32 from Asia, and 38 from the U.S., the authors noted. The rest were from Australia, South America, and Africa. A majority, 126 (71.6%), had a medical doctor degree, and 55 (31.3%) were full professors. Importantly, 118 (67%) had more than 10 years of research experience.
Among the 141 from outside the U.S. who completed the survey, 78 (55.3%) indicated that visa or immigration policies were reducing their willingness to work or study in the U.S., with 39 or 27.7% indicating no effect, the survey found.
Of the 35 U.S. researchers who completed the survey, 20 (57.2%) indicated that the political climate was making collaboration outside the U.S. harder or much harder.
Research has identified that international collaboration and research funding are key determinants of scientific impact, with cross-border collaboration being particularly beneficial for research outcomes, Kwee and colleagues noted.
Respondents indicated that administrative and visa-related barriers have made fellowships, international collaborations, and conference attendance in the U.S. more difficult even with secured funding.
The survey also highlighted a prominent theme: reduced access to funding and disrupted research projects.
Overall, most respondents expected the current Trump administration’s leadership to hinder the advancement of radiology research, with 84 (47.7%) of the total participants anticipating slower progress and 46 (26.1%) much slower progress.
"In this international survey of radiology researchers, we found that the majority of participants perceive the political environment during the current Trump administration (2025-present) as adversely affecting funding opportunities, international collaboration, work climate, and research motivation," Kwee and colleagues concluded.
The authors acknowledged, however, that the results reflected early perceptions that may change over time as policies are implemented and researchers adapt to the evolving political environment. In addition, the results are based on researchers’ perceptions and experiences rather than on objectively verifiable data.
Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether these perceptions translate into measurable changes in grant success rates, publication output, international co-authorship, and clinical trial activity, the group said.
