Full support from the management
"The harsh tone costs – and everyone loses," writes vice dean Ole Hertel about the recent debate on academic freedom, and how several researchers have been unfairly treated and subjected to a very harsh tone in the public debate. But what do you actually do if you are subjected to a harsh tone or perhaps even direct persecution?
There have been several examples recently of debates where the focus shifts from the academic to the personal. Our colleague from the Department of Ecoscience, Stiig Markager, can attest to this. Most recently, our colleague Steen H. Møller from the ANIVET has also been affected.
Jørgen E. Olesen emphasizes that academic freedom is a core value for us as a AGRO and for all of Aarhus University. "It is crucial that we have an environment where researchers feel safe to share their knowledge and participate actively in debates without fear of personal attacks or harsh tones," he says.
Academic freedom is a core value in AGRO, and it is threatened if we do not dare to participate in the public debate.
"I and the rest of the management therefore continue to encourage everyone to actively participate in debates, media, and the press, where they have the opportunity to share their knowledge and expertise. As researchers, we have an obligation to contribute to a more informed and nuanced public conversation," he says.
Seek help and support from the management
Research in AGRO is under constant scrutiny, which means that many in the media and the public are interested in what is being researched here. This is positive, but it can also have negative consequences, as Stiig Markager and Steen H. Møller have experienced. They are certainly not alone in such persecution.
"Therefore, it is important for me to emphasize that employees always have the full support of the management if they should be subjected to a harsh tone," says Jørgen E. Olesen. It's just a matter of making the management aware if you experience something, or asking for advice before engaging in the debate if needed.
It is essential to remember that there must and should be room for different sides of a debate; this helps create an informed and open discussion. But if the tone becomes unnecessarily harsh, or if suddenly it's the individuals rather than the research that are the focus, then it's important that we involve the management so that together we can clearly and firmly object.
Read Ole Hertel's post on the topic here.