New Resources Help Scientists Reduce their Risk of Harassing Attacks

Today we published two educational resources to help scientists safely and effectively speak up for science, and know what to do if they end up in political crosshairs.

We’ve assisted numerous researchers who’ve been harassed and attacked via email, social media, and other online platforms. So we created “Safeguarding Online Communications,” a practical guide to expressing one’s views and engaging in activism, while minimizing the risk of threats and attacks.

We also released a new edition of “Handling Political Harassment and Legal Intimidation.” First published in December 2016 (and featured in The New Yorker), the guide is designed to familiarize scientists with the legal aspects of various types of harassment—from congressional investigations to hate mail—and how to handle each scenario.

The 2018 edition has a new section on whistleblowing laws and what to know about disclosing misconduct in the workplace. It also includes information about how scientists can participate in activism and advocacy without exposing themselves to unwanted scrutiny.

Note that the information in these guides concerns only U.S. laws and should not be taken as individual legal advice. If you feel threatened, are being harassed, or have questions about your work, write to lawyer@csldf.org and request a free consultation with one of our attorneys.