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https://theconversation.com/two-in-five-scientists-in-our-survey-reported-harassment-and-intimidation-often-the-perpetrators-are-inside-the-institution-248013>
"The goal of science is to uncover truths and create new knowledge. But this is
not always welcome. Increasingly, scientific findings are being attacked or
downplayed. And scientists themselves face intimidation or harassment.
In our global study of more than 2,000 scientists across six areas of science,
two-fifths (41%) of respondents had, as a result of their work, been harassed
or intimidated at least once over a five-year period.
Intimidation efforts included online abuse, physical threats, and threats to
budgets or employment. Harassment, while personal, could be meted out by
superiors, colleagues or outsiders. Some scientists felt their leaders had
thrown them under the bus to protect the institution’s reputation.
Who’s doing the intimidation? Strikingly, a majority of cases of intimidation
and harassment actually came from inside the institution for most fields. That
is, it was perpetrated by senior colleagues or managers. But for climate
scientists, most intimidation efforts came from outside.
Intimidation of scientists doesn’t happen in a vacuum. In recent years, there
has been a rise in populist leaders who pour scorn on “elites” and evidence.
Scientific issues are increasingly politicised. Disinformation is rampant. This
atmosphere adds to the pressure faced by scientists, especially those working
in politically sensitive areas such as climate science or COVID."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
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mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
