Intimidation and voice of research scientists

RESEARCH PROMOTER

This Griffith University survey aims to investigate intimidation towards scientists as a result of their scientific work, and actions that may and increase scientists’ voice.

In some fields (e.g. climate science, genetically modified foods, animal testing) organised attacks on scientists and scientific organisations are increasing in frequency and severity.

However, we do not know how scientists respond or what sources of support are available to them, or how effective any mechanisms are.

The project aims to identify factors that influence intimidation; examine severity and outcomes; examine support available to scientists and identify an develop viable organisational and policy responses to reduce the personal and social costs arising from intimidation; identify and develop viable organisational and policy responses to reduce the personal and social costs arising from intimidation and increase scientists’ voice; and improve our understanding of the relationships between scientists, intimidation, society and scientific progress.

The project has been Funded by the Australian Research Council (Discovery grant DP190102324). A pilot phase was completed in 2019 and an international survey is underway in 2020. That phase involves an international online survey of scientists, focusing on those from three fields with different risks of the likelihood of intimidation; climate science (high risk, with attacks from the right), plant, soil, and animal science (high risk with attacks from the left) and astronomy (low risk). The participant pool will be identified by conducting keyword searches of publication databases (especially Web of Science).

A subsequent phase will involve follow up interviews (either face to face, via electronic means or in focus groups). This will focus on understanding the critical moments in the dynamic experience of a key incident, will address what support has and has not assisted with this experience and identify from participants their views on recommendations for change in policy and practice.

The team is multi-disciplinary. Chief Investigators are Professor David Peetz, Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe and Dr Rob Hales. Senior research fellow is Dr Georgina Murray and Research fellow is Dr Carolyn Troup.

Find out more information and take the survey here: https://www.griffith.edu.au/work-organisation-wellbeing/research/projects/intimidation-and-voice-of-research-scientists