Oh thank goodness, hopefully this is the start of a fight back in academic research. It has gotten to the stage where I refuse to discuss this topic with senior people - but many of my young colleagues are appalled at where we are at, but again we are all to scared of the consequences to say anything.
current thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3407331-Times-on-activists-threatening-academics
Telegraph 23 DECEMBER 2017:
'Academics say research is being hindered by universities' fear of online backlash'
(extract)
"Academics say they have been forced to leave the country to pursue their research interests as British universities are accused of blocking studies over fears of backlash on social media.
As they come under increasing attack from online activists, some of the country’s leading academics have accused universities of putting their reputations before their responsibility to defend academic freedom.
Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, they claim that university ethics committees are now “drifting into moral vanity” by vetoing research in areas that are seen as “politically incorrect”. (continues)
The academics have decided to speak out as James Caspian, one of the country’s leading gender specialists, revealed that he is planning to take Bath Spa University to judicial review over its decision to turn down his research into transgenderism.
A professor who recently left a prestigious Russell Group institution to work in Italy said that while safeguards were needed to ensure research was conducted ethically, some universities now appeared to be “covering their own arses”.
“I’ve certainly heard and know of ethics committees voicing concerns about parts of research that would to most of us seem ridiculous. I think they sometimes go too far.
“In general I’m supportive of ethics committees, but there is room for discussion on their criteria. Attracting a lot unwanted attraction on social media...most researchers would not consider that relevant.
“That’s a matter for the PR office, not an ethics committee.”
Dr Heather Brunskell-Evans, a fellow of King’s College London who has previously sat on research awarding bodies, claimed that some universities were becoming “authoritarian”.
Universities project themselves as places of open debate, while at the same time they are very worried about being seen to fall foul of the consensus,” she added." (continues)
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/23/academics-say-research-hindered-universities-fear-online-backlash/
thread with background: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3129659-Update-from-James-Caspian-on-his-case-against-Bath-Spa-University-to-be-allowed-to-research-detransitioners?pg=3
( the crowdfunder to fund judicial review is in its last couple of weeks)
www.crowdjustice.com/case/free-speech-matters-round2/
relevent thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3313760-Up-to-150-youngsters-treated-with-puberty-blocking-jabs-might-not-even-be-transgender