On the under den linden, a grand boulevard in central Berlin, sits the mother of modern universities.

Humboldt University was founded in 1810 by the educational reformer Wilhelm von Humboldt,

and was intended to be something new, a research university giving academics and students

the freedom to develop their own interests rather than follow a prescriptive training program.

This model of academic freedom was hugely influential on American universities,

as they developed as research centres in the latter half of the 19th century.

Now, many feel that academic freedom is in jeopardy, as universities and colleges get caught up in the culture wars.

I'm John Prado, and this is checks and balance from the economist.

Each week we take one big theme, shaping American politics, and explore it in depth.

Today, our diversity statements are threat to academic freedom.

More and more universities across the US now require faculty applicants to submit so-called diversity statements.

These ask prospective academic staff to set out their commitment to an experience of promoting diversity.

At the same time, some republican-led states, most notably Florida, are putting their own restrictions on academia

by limiting what universities and colleges can teach.

How healthy is academic freedom in America?

With me this week to discuss what diversity statements in academia are,

and whether this is an example of good intentions gone horribly awry,

are Idris Kalun in Washington, DC, and Charlotte Howard in New York.

Idris, how are you doing, and what's going on in the district?

I'm doing well. DC is very cold this week, finally.

I found out that our favorite bagel shop, a place called Call Your Mother,

is actually owned by the new White House Chief of Staff.

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