Abigail Greenfield and Sierra Kaplan were selected for the honor based on their academic achievements, research, creative work and other criteria.

The damage caused by the administration’s actions extends far beyond the professors whose studies have been halted, says Shana Gadarian, professor of political science. “This is potentially a direct harm to people who are, for example, waiting for a cure for cancer or a genetic disease,” she says.

“If you look at what the Kremlin put out, based upon the phone call between presidents Trump and Putin, their characterization of it was much more sober and it was clear that Putin reiterated his constant talking points about the need to get to what he calls the ‘root causes’ of the conflict,” says Brian Taylor, director of the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs.