Professor Jake Shapiro says university research is central to U.S. national security

Professor Jake Shapiro said university research and training play a central role in U.S. national security and defended Princeton’s place in American higher education. "Research and training at America's universities are central to national security," he said.

Shapiro argued that university research supports both the science behind weapons systems and the science behind arms control and deterrence. "University research contributes both to the science behind weapon systems and to the science behind arms control and deterrence so those weapons are never used," he said, portraying academic work as contributing to both defense capabilities and measures intended to prevent the use of those capabilities.

He offered historical context to support his claim, noting universities' contributions to military logistics and diplomacy. He said university work helped with "the convoys that brought supplies to Europe in World War 2" and informed "U.S. policy for managing the end of the Cold War." Shapiro presented these examples to illustrate how academic research and training have supported military operations and diplomatic strategy over decades.

Shapiro also emphasized the personnel pipeline from universities into national-security roles, saying "Dozens of military officers earn their PhDs from American universities each year, and many of them go on to become leading national security thinkers and policy makers." He said those individuals "leverage the knowledge and skills gained through research to strengthen and defend our nation."

He closed by restating his reason for speaking: "That's why I'm standing up for Princeton and American higher education." No formal action or vote followed the remarks.