ACSA cancels Gaza issue amid political pressure

In April 2025, the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) canceled an upcoming issue of the Journal of Architectural Education (JAE) that was to focus on the Palestinian situation in Gaza. This decision stemmed from concerns regarding federal and state funding, especially in light of the political climate that included active scrutiny regarding discussions of antisemitism. Despite the journal's editorial board initially agreeing on the content, which addressed ongoing violence against Palestinians and reflected on anti-colonial practices, the ACSA faced threats and warnings from political figures including the Trump administration. The ACSA noted that university presidents and governors in states with laws against antisemitism were made aware of the journal's call for papers, leading to calls for action regarding funding restrictions, which heavily influenced the decision to cancel the issue. The editorial board had previously included substantial discussion over the call for papers, which was intended to explore the connections between architecture and colonial oppression, but it found itself in conflict with political and external pressures. As they tried to navigate the complexities of academia and political influence, it raised broader questions about the impact of government on academic discussions and the realms of free expression within scholarly publications.