This guide covers specific types of potential risks related to serving as an expert witness and other consulting work, including legal issues, monetary concerns, and conflicts of interest.
Protecting the Scientific Endeavor
Science Under Siege
The Climate Science Legal Defense Fund has fought for the scientific endeavor since 2011. Our initiatives ensure that scientists can conduct, publish, and discuss their research and advocate for science without the threat of political harassment, censorship, or legal intimidation.
Updated Report: Open Records Laws
These laws, while critical to government transparency, are frequently misused by groups seeking to harass scientists and slow or halt the scientific endeavor. This report can help scientists and attorneys respond to such inquiries.
Political Action Toolkit
Our free legal resources explain the best practices for safely and effectively engaging in political advocacy.
2022 Impact Report
See what your donations have enabled this year

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Our Work
We provide free legal aid and resources to researchers, educate the scientific community about their rights and responsibilities, and strengthen legal protections to promote scientific integrity.
Silencing Science Tracker
The Silencing Science Tracker is a public database that tracks government efforts to restrict, censor, undermine, and misrepresent science since the November 2016 election. To date, we have documented more than 500 attacks on science. We catalog government efforts to restrict, censor, undermine, and misrepresent science.
Safeguarding Scientific Integrity
We promote scientific integrity reforms to ensure the best available research and data inform government decision-making. And we publish resources to advance understanding of how research institutions and federal agencies approach scientific integrity — and how to strengthen legal protections for science and scientists.
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Latest Resources and Activities
This report describes the existing protections for scientific records, and their applications, in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
This guide covers things scientists can do to avoid putting themselves at risk when sending an open letter or signing a public petition.
Scientists: Know Your Rights
The legal risks for any individual scientist are small, but there are actions you can take to protect and defend yourself, especially if you’re involved in scientific advocacy and activism.
Our Expertise in the News
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Press | News Safeguarding Science in State AgenciesSeptember 28, 2023 Brennan Center for Justice
Most state and local officials worked tirelessly — often at risk to their own health and lives — to protect the public. But as was true at the federal level, senior state and local officials repeatedly failed to live up to the trust the public placed in them. Across the country, state and local leaders meddled in research and data and retaliated against experts in order to improve their political standing and cover up mismanagement.
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News CSLDF Participates in NSF Listening Sessions to Improve Federal Science ProtectionsSeptember 27, 2023 Rachael Lyle-Thompson
On September 20, CSLDF participated in one of two virtual public listening sessions held by the U.S. National Science Foundation,…
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News | CSLDF Resources Announcing Our Newest Pocket Guide for ScientistsSeptember 13, 2023 CSLDF
Our mission at CSLDF has always been to protect climate science and scientists. Today, we release another tool in that…
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Your support helps us fight for scientists and defend scientific integrity.