After public appearances, scientists are increasingly faced with fierce reactions and threats, including from colleagues. This makes scientists hesitant to speak out publicly. The president of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences Ineke Sluiter is concerned about this development.
In Fidelity Sluiter says that it is bad for those researchers. “Because their social safety is being compromised as they want to contribute to debates on important social issues,” she says. “But the debate itself and democratic values are also affected, especially if scientists withdraw or engage in self-censorship. And we see that happening now.”
Investigation
From a survey by science site for higher education ScienceGuide found that 43 percent of participating scientists have been threatened, verbally abused or otherwise intimidated following a public appearance in the past five years.
More than half of the 372 scientists surveyed have refrained from performing publicly for fear of negative consequences. According to Trouw, the intimidation did not always come from anonymous people on social media, but also from colleagues, students and executives in their own scientific institution.
In May, the Association of Universities announced a plan to better protect intimidated and threatened scientists to support. At the time, the KNAW also argued for research into intimidation of specifically female scientists.
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