In June 2025, the academic landscape is reflected through the experiences of several prominent figures who chose to leave the U.S. amid political unrest. Timothy Snyder and Marci Shore, both respected historians from Yale, relocated to Toronto in search of new opportunities. They, alongside others, have voiced their concerns over the increasing hostility towards universities as sites of liberal thought. Snyder has publicly criticized the political climate, co-authoring a New York Times piece that details their motivation for leaving.
Joining them at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy are Brian and Nina Rathbun, both international relations professors who transitioned from the University of Southern California. Together, these scholars represent a growing trend of American academics seeking refuge in Canadian institutions, aiming to uphold their values of freedom of expression and critical inquiry.
As the landscape of academia shifts, the University of Toronto positions itself as a beacon for those fleeing a turbulent U.S. educational environment, reflecting the profound implications of the current political climate on intellectual communities.
Joining them at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy are Brian and Nina Rathbun, both international relations professors who transitioned from the University of Southern California. Together, these scholars represent a growing trend of American academics seeking refuge in Canadian institutions, aiming to uphold their values of freedom of expression and critical inquiry.
As the landscape of academia shifts, the University of Toronto positions itself as a beacon for those fleeing a turbulent U.S. educational environment, reflecting the profound implications of the current political climate on intellectual communities.
