Scientists Facing Harassment and Intimidation: A Comprehensive Resource
Amidst the backdrop of a global pandemic, researchers and scholars have found themselves increasingly targeted by intimidation and harassment, posing a significant threat to their work and well-being. The surge in attacks on scientists studying politically sensitive topics such as climate change, disinformation, and virology has prompted the creation of a comprehensive defence playbook aimed at equipping researchers with the tools to navigate these challenges.
The latest high-profile case of harassment involves Anthony Fauci, the head of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who was compelled to enlist personal security guards following a series of death threats during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci’s experience is not an isolated incident but rather emblematic of a broader trend affecting scholars across various disciplines.
Rebekah Tromble, the director of the Institute for Data, Democracy and Politics at George Washington University in Washington DC, has firsthand experience with harassment due to her professional work. Tromble underscores the critical role that academic institutions play in addressing these issues, emphasizing that universities have a primary responsibility to protect their researchers. She notes that the pursuit of public-interest scholarship often puts scholars at risk and calls for institutions to proactively support and safeguard their academic community.
In response to the escalating threats faced by researchers, Tromble partnered with Kathleen Searles, a political scientist at the University of South Carolina, to establish the Researcher Support Consortium. This initiative, launched in Washington DC, aims to provide a comprehensive guide for researchers, funding agencies, and academic institutions on how to effectively respond to attacks on scholars. By offering template policies and best practices, the consortium seeks to empower institutions to create a supportive environment for their faculty and students.
Isaac Kamola, a political scientist at Trinity College in Connecticut, hails the Researcher Support Consortium as the new industry standard for addressing harassment and intimidation faced by researchers. As the director of the American Association of University Professors’ Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom, Kamola stresses the importance of establishing robust support systems to protect scholars from targeted attacks.
The onslaught of harassment against scientists is not a recent phenomenon, particularly within the realm of climate science. However, the scope of attacks has expanded to encompass a broader range of disciplines, including biomedical research and social sciences. A survey conducted by Nature revealed that two-thirds of scientists who spoke to the media about the COVID-19 pandemic encountered negative experiences, with 22% reporting threats of physical or sexual violence. Additionally, researchers investigating election and vaccine misinformation have faced congressional scrutiny and legal challenges.
The Researcher Support Consortium offers practical advice for researchers at risk, ranging from basic precautions like safeguarding personal information to more advanced strategies such as obtaining a ‘Certificate of Confidentiality’ from the US National Institutes of Health. The consortium also emphasizes the role of funding agencies in providing support and reassurance to grant recipients and their affiliated institutions.
While individual researchers can take steps to protect themselves, the bulk of the consortium’s recommendations are directed towards academic institutions. The 43-page toolkit outlines proactive measures that universities can implement to prepare for and mitigate attacks on their scholars. These measures include establishing clear policies, codes of conduct, and reporting systems, as well as forming dedicated committees to respond swiftly to incidents of harassment.
Despite the valuable guidance provided by the consortium, experts caution that researchers may still require legal assistance in dire situations. Lauren Kurtz, the executive director of the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund, notes that institutions often prioritize their own liability over protecting their faculty members, leaving researchers vulnerable to legal challenges. The consortium’s emphasis on collaboration with organizations that offer legal support, such as the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, underscores the importance of a multifaceted approach to defending researchers.
The stakes are high for researchers, the scientific community, and society at large. Isaac Kamola emphasizes that safeguarding faculty from harassment is crucial not only for the integrity of research but also for upholding the principles of democracy. By equipping researchers with the resources and support they need, institutions can create a safer and more conducive environment for scholarly inquiry and academic freedom.