By Rachida Azough
Amid the attacks on government scientists and science funding, US researchers are rallying nationwide today, March 7, to Stand Up for Science. The Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIAS-KNAW) supports this action and the resistance of its American colleagues.
Nation-wide protest
In recent weeks, the US administration has targeted federal scientists and scientific funding, firing thousands of employees, attempting to freeze research funding, and proposing future cuts. Against this backdrop, a group of early-career researchers has been busy organizing rallies in cities like Washington, D.C., Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Nashville, Austin, Seattle and beyond.
Early Career Courage
Eight years after the March for Science protests in 2017 during Trump’s first term, these new organizers hope to build on that momentum and continue the movement for science advocacy. Their goal is to unite scientists and science supporters to show appreciation for science’s vital role in society, and strengthening democracy.
Science matters
Their call to action is simple: today, on March 7, researchers and science enthusiasts nationwide are urged to step away from their labs, walk away from their blackboards, temporarily abandon their field work, and their burning research questions, and make their voices heard. This movement is about making a resounding statement that science matters.
Reality is even worse than he expected.
At NIAS, our American fellows are deeply concerned about developments in their country and are happy to see rising opposition to the destructive plans. They are shocked by the fragility of democracy and science and have serious concerns about its impact on their personal situation, that of their loved ones and that of their country. Sharon Rose, professor of linguistics at the University of California, wonders if applying for grants for her research on African tone languages still makes sense ‘because this government is deciding what they consider valuable research and what they don’t, over the objective opinions of discipline experts.’
Resist or back off
Professor of history at Vassar College, Mita Choudhury, who researches sexual abuse in Early Modern France, and will travel to Princeton after her NIAS Fellowship, questions whether she will still be able to publish her book by the time it is finished. “Maybe they will realize they have to publish it because of its qualities and the choice to do so represents a form of resistance, but it’s also possible that out of caution they’ll back off.”
Criminalising sociology
Leiden-based American sociologist from CUNY, John Boy , speaks of a crisis of purpose among scholars. “When the whole world is being rejiggled overnight, it is difficult to find purpose in research topics that have no link to what’s happening.” Boy points to similarities between the situation in the US, ‘where the state of Florida is criminalising the discipline of sociology, and the BBB arguing here in the Netherlands that sociology promotes dangerous ideologies.’
Kirwin SchafferWhen the love of fascism is blossoming
NIAS Fellow Philip Gorski is professor of sociology at Yale University, and wrote the 2022 book The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy. He is deeply saddened that his predictions have come true. The reality is even worse than he expected.
Decimate American leadership
Gorski: “At best, the proposed fundings cut to American higher education in the form of a 15 percent limit on overhead expenses is a shot over the bow aimed at intimidating the scientific community. If fully carried out, these cuts will decimate American leadership in the sciences, with economic consequences that will be felt for decades to come.”
Blossoming love of fascism
Kirwin Shaffer, professor of Latin American Studies and anarchism expert at Pennsylvania State University, has mixed feelings. One of his children is experiencing the devastating effects firsthand and on a personal level, while he himself, in “this time when the love of fascism is blossoming,” feels emboldened to continue his research on the lessons of anarchists for this time.
