This guide helps scientists navigate the First Amendment so they can be involved in their communities and the political process while minimizing concerns about negative repercussions in their professional lives.
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.
10 Years of Defending Science
Since 2011, we have helped over 220 individuals defend science against industry-funded attacks, fight government and institutional censorship, and stand up for scientific and climate progress.
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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.
Scientific Integrity Reporting Project
In partnership with Government Accountability Project, we’ve launched a confidential, anonymous platform for scientists and others in science-adjacent roles to detail experiences involving past and ongoing threats to scientific norms and scientific integrity. We plan to draw upon these stories to learn about how to better protect science in the future; legal advice and potential representation will also be available to those who contact us.
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.
Research institutions can use this free model language to adopt strong, comprehensive scientific integrity policies.
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 A Reckless Decision: How a Politicized American Supreme Court Derails Federal Agency Action on Climate ChangeJuly 12, 2022 Verfassungsblog
To diminish the EPA’s ability to restrict emissions from power plants at a time when the world is being battered by floods, fires, and droughts, is nothing short of reckless.
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Press Has Biden followed the science? What researchers sayJanuary 21, 2022 Nature
"While this report does a good job of setting the stage, there is also a lot more that needs to be done to actually guarantee protections for federal science,” says Lauren Kurtz, executive director of the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund.
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Press | Op-ed The Biden administration's first year: Slow and steady does not win this raceJanuary 20, 2022 The Hill
We documented 328 anti-science actions taken by the Trump administration. Biden has only reversed or reconsidered nine of them.
Take a Stand for Science
Your support helps us fight for scientists and defend scientific integrity.