David Allsopp said he knew the Florida State Department of Governmental Efficiency was looking for “inefficiencies” across higher education institutions ever since its creation in February.

However, as a professor who has conducted research at USF for 24 years, Allsopp was “surprised” to learn the Florida DOGE team would analyze research done by university staff.

“I don’t know what they think they’re going to find,” said Allsopp, a professor in the College of Education. “I think there’s this notion that we’re just coming up with stuff that’s woke and imposing it on people, when that’s not the case, and it never has been.”

Some USF professors and researchers said they are concerned about DOGE’s request for research records due to the uncertainty around how the information will be reviewed.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ DOGE team sent state universities a letter on March 26 explaining it would evaluate each institution’s “publicly available information” and reach out for further details, according to public records obtained by the UNF Spinnaker.

The first information request, sent to USF on April 4, asked the university to submit “all research published by staff” over the last six years, records show.

If any “inefficiencies” are identified, the DOGE team will give “reform recommendations to promote efficiency,” according to the March letter.

Related: DOGE raises concerns, uncertainty among Florida university faculty 

But Allsopp said he was concerned about his research on special education being affected even before the DOGE team contacted USF.

Allsopp learned USF was deleting diversity, equity and inclusion content from its webpages while speaking at a conference about supporting students with learning disabilities — a topic he has researched for 30 years.

Allsopp said his work is “founded on” inclusion because most of his research focuses on teaching practices for students with ADHD and autism.

“That was kind of the first, ‘Oh, my God. They’re interested in whether my work is around these bad words,’” he said.

USF spokesperson Althea Johnson said the university was “reviewing and updating” websites to comply with “all” state and federal guidance, policies and laws.

Related: USF is deleting webpages with DEI content

The March letter stated that the DOGE team will send universities additional requests, which may include the “closure and dissolution” of “programs and activities” related to DEI.

But to Allan Feldman, it is still unclear what impact DOGE’s reviews could have on published research.

Feldman, a USF professor emeritus of science education, said it is “odd” that the DOGE team is asking for publicly available information. 

“There’s nothing that they’re asking for that is hidden anywhere,” Feldman said.

The DOGE request included examples of research to be submitted, such as publicly available “papers and drafts,” or those found in “online academic repositories.”

The team also asked for the writer’s name, designation and university role for each research submission.

USF had until April 18 to submit the initial information and until April 30 to provide additional details via a SharePoint link.

The April 30 request required each research submission to have an abstract, work length, any “associated” funding and related work from the researcher or USF. 

The Oracle public records requested USF’s responses after both deadlines, but has not received them at the time of publication.

Related: USF assembles DOGE task force to dig up ‘unnecessary’ spending 

During his 13 years at USF, Feldman examined how people learn to do scientific research. He also studied ways for professors to look closely at their work and reflect on dynamic changes.

Although Feldman retired from USF in 2022, some of his work could be included in the university’s response to DOGE’s request, as the team is asking for all staff publications since 2019.

Feldman said having “so little” discussion on how DOGE will conduct the analysis on research submissions increases the “amount of intimidation.” 

“This has to do with the state trying to exert control over what happens at the public universities,” Feldman said. “Do I have to watch everything that I say?”

Allsopp said he worries DOGE’s reviews could lead to research funding cuts.

“Those studies are finding cures for people,” Allsopp said. “People with disabilities and their families are going to suffer, and that to me is abominable.” 

DOGE’s requests for research will “just waste time” and cause “angst” among state university faculty and staff, Allsopp said.

“Academic research fuels teaching and learning,” Allsopp said. “Without a robust research arena, then we become dumber as a society, and people suffer for it.”