Asian American Scholar Forum

The letter supports AASF’s letter that raised concerns about the damaging consequences this legislation would have on America’s scientific competitiveness, innovation, and ability to attract top global talent: www.aasforum.org/2025/10/20/a...

More than 750 faculty members & researchers from 210 US universities & academic institutions in 41 states & DC have also signed on in support. The list of supporters also includes several Nobel laureates as well as many members of the NAS & the AAAS.

AASF expresses strong support for the open letter from 750 + faculty led by Profs Peter F. Michelson & Steven A. Kivelson sent to House & Senate Committees on Armed Services regarding the SAFE Research Act in the F26 NDAA: www.aasforum.org/2025/10/29/a...

AASF Board Member Prof. Haifan Lin (Yale) was quoted as calling for fairness and trust in global research. “It will accelerate the breakdown of people-to-people trust…”

Read the article: www.science.org/content/arti...

Quoted in the article, Prof. Kivelson spoke about the importance of scientists speaking out: “The image of tilting with windmills does come to mind. But this issue is so important to scientists, I feel that we need to do whatever we can”: www.science.org/content/arti...

Prof. Michelson emphasized the importance of policies rooted in fairness, not fear: “Our scientific leadership has benefited enormously from the United States’ ability to attract and collaborate with the world’s brightest minds.” www.aasforum.org/2025/10/29/a...

Science highlights the Asian American Scholar Forum’s warning that the Act’s vague language could lead to “arbitrary and biased enforcement,” echoing the chilling effects of the former China Initiative: www.aasforum.org/2025/10/20/a...

AASF & 750+ faculty letter featured in a Science Magazine article by journalist Jeff Mervis, calling national attention to the proposed SAFE Research Act — an NDAA amendment that could threaten to undermine U.S. scientific leadership, innovation, and trust: www.aasforum.org/2025/11/10/a...

As highlighted in our recent letter to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, AASF has cautioned Congress against the SAFE Research Act provision of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): www.aasforum.org/2025/10/20/a...

AASF was recently featured in an article by the American Institute of Physics (AIP) about the SAFE Research Act, a proposal that would severely restrict international research collaborations & disproportionately impact AA scholars & scientists: www.aip.org/fyi/house-pr...

Please register to join us for this training that will equip participants with the knowledge and advocacy tools needed to advocate on issues that directly impact them, such as the China Initiative, research security, fundamental rights, and academic freedom in our country.

The Advocacy 101 training originally scheduled for October 23 has been rescheduled for Monday, November 3, from 5-6 pm ET.

Link to register: tinyurl.com/AASFAAJCAdvo...

What are some of our concerns with the SAFE Research Act? Read our letter to learn more!

www.aasforum.org/2025/10/20/a...

Through this letter, AASF reaffirmed its commitment to working with Congress to strengthen U.S. leadership in science and technology, while upholding the core American values of transparency, clarity, fairness, due process, and non-discrimination.

The Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) sent a letter to educate Congressional leaders on the harms of the SAFE Research Act from the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act: www.aasforum.org/wp-content/u...

Co-hosted by AASF & @aaaj-aajc.bsky.social, this training will equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate on issues that directly impact them, such as the China Initiative, research security, fundamental rights, and academic freedom in our country.

Save the date for our upcoming webinar — Advocacy 101 for Scholars, Scientists & Researchers – on Oct. 23 from 4-5 pm ET: tinyurl.com/AASFAAJCAdvocacy101

This prestigious fellowship is part of AASF's broader commitment to supporting and elevating the voices of Asian Americans in the U.S. research ecosystem that touches all parts of our lives, from our campuses, business, economy, and daily lives.

Peidong Yang | University of California, Berkeley
Wei Wang | University of California, Los Angeles
Jie Yao | University of California, Berkeley

Serena Rao | Stanford University
Yingzi Yang | Harvard University
Lexing Ying | Stanford University
Mengdi Wang | Princeton University
Junqiao Wu | University of California, Berkeley
Lishan Su | University of Maryland, Baltimore

Alex Acero | University of Washington
Pei Cao | Entrepreneur
Srabanti Chowdhury | Stanford University
William Chueh | Stanford University
Bianxiao Cui | Stanford University
Shanhui Fan | Stanford University

The Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) is proud to announce our 2025 Fellows, an extraordinary group of individuals recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to science, technology, medicine, and the humanities: www.aasforum.org/2025/10/14/a...

The program was moderated by Abe Rein, Chair of Post & Schell’s White Collar Defense & Investigations Group (and FCLC Chair). Other panelists:

-Michael Vernick, Partner and Head of the Government Contracts Group at Akin Gump

-Jennifer Beidel, Member, White Collar Group at Dykema

AASF’s ED, Gisela Kusakawa, recently joined a panel held by the Federal Criminal Law Committee on the topic of “Defending Academics & Institutions in Foreign Interference and Research Security Matters.” The panel was a CLE session, i.e., required additional training for attorneys.

The panel will take place on Friday, October 10, at 1:00 pm ET in Philadelphia, with both in-person and virtual attendance options available.

AASF’s Executive Director, Gisela Kusakawa, will join a distinguished panel on Defending Academics and Institutions in Foreign Interference and Research Security Matters, hosted by the Federal Criminal Law Committee (FCLC): fclcedpa.org/event/defend...

We call on lawmakers to reject the reinstatement of this discriminatory program and uphold America’s commitment to fairness, innovation, and global leadership.

Read the full letter and list of signatories here: www.aasforum.org/2025/09/12/c...

“Reinstating the China Initiative would revive a failed and shortsighted policy that hurt the workforce of scientists and innovators that our country depends on to stay globally competitive,” said Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director of the Asian American Scholar Forum.

82 civil rights & Asian American advocacy orgs - led by @aasforum.bsky.social, @aaaj-aajc.bsky.social, @stopaapihate.org & @caasanfrancisco.bsky.social - sent a letter urging Congress to strike harmful language in the FY2026 CJS bill that would revive the discredited “China Initiative.”

Today we remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and honor the courage of first responders, service members, and communities. AASF remains committed to a safer, more united future that values every contribution. #NeverForget