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Agenda Research Integrity Round
11 December 2024

According to some, science and activism naturally go together. After all, science and society are closely connected. Shouldn’t climate scientists warn the public about the worrisome results of their research and the risks for, e.g., global health? Shouldn’t an expert on vaccination contradict myths about the risks and efficiency of vaccination that undermine its support in society? It might even be the social responsibility of good scientists to engage in activism.  

Others, however, think that activist scientists run the risk of compromising the neutrality and impartiality of science. Scientist shouldn’t become politicians, it is said. They should stick to the facts, and nothing more. Activist scientists might undermine the vulnerable public trust in and credibility of science in times when views such as ‘science is just an opinion’ and ‘I believe in alternative facts’ go around in social media.  

Both positions may have a personal and professional impact. While neutrality and impartiality are closely linked to the principles of research integrity, so is (societal) responsibility. And at the background essential values like ‘academic freedom’ and ‘freedom of speech on campus’, may play a role as well. In between the two mentioned positions is a colourful – let’s not call it a grey - area full of questions and dilemmas that we should discuss.  
We will explore this actual and tense theme with three guests, and use pitches, polls, and panel conversations to engage everybody. Of course, members of the public can react and ask questions as well. Our host will be dr. Jos Kole. 

Guests 

  • Prof. Teun Bousema, is infectious disease epidemiologist specialised in the biology and epidemiology of Plasmodium falciparum. He actively promotes sustainable science and has e.g. put the ecological footprint of research on the agenda. 
  • Prof. Chantal Rovers is professor of Outbreaks of Infectious Diseases. She contributed frequently in the media to the public debate during the Covid-19 pandemic, thereby distinguishing between fact and fiction. 
  • Efraïm Hart, MSc MD is performing PhD research on Health Activism at VU Amsterdam