EDUCATION
Our free programs and resources educate the scientific community about the legal system and their rights and responsibilities.
Latest Resources
Education for Scientists
Our goal is to educate the scientific community about the legal system, their rights, and their responsibilities. When scientists understand the legal issues surrounding their work, they’re able to better protect themselves against intimidation, media smear campaigns, and other forms of harassment.
We often collaborate with public universities, scientific societies, and other partners to raise awareness of our programming and ensure that it reaches scientists who may be at risk of ideologically motivated litigation or other attacks.
We offer:
- Free Workshops: Our attorneys lead workshops that help scientists from all disciplines understand their legal rights and responsibilities, and also how these relate to science advocacy and engagement in policy-related activities. These events feature an overview of legal attacks on science and cover topics such as open records laws, how to separate personal advocacy from one’s professional role, how to deal with harassment and anti-lobbying regulations. We offer for these at universities and independent laboratories and in collaboration with a variety of scientific societies and non-profits.
- Webinars: Led by our staff attorneys and leading legal experts, our webinars cover topics that help scientists understand the legal system and how to protect themselves. Similar to our workshops, these help scientists, academics, and researchers understand the rules and regulations impacting their work.
- Our Services at Scientific Conferences: We partner with scientific societies and attend their meetings so we can engage directly with the science community. At these events, we provide free counseling services, discuss the legal issues facing researchers, and give updates on legal situations making their way through the court system. You can usually find us at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting and the AAAS Annual Meeting.
- Publications: We publish and distribute free educational resources to help scientists understand the risks they may face as a result of their work. View our complete list of reports and publications.
Please contact us if you’d like to partner with us on a project or arrange for a workshop for your group.
Education for Attorneys
Our programming prepares attorneys to defend researchers and protect the scientific endeavor. We also serve as a clearinghouse for information related to legal action taken against scientists, which can inform strategies for — and outcomes of — future cases.
Initiatives for attorneys and law professors include:
- Campus Reps Program: We train law professors to help scientists understand how to protect themselves from harassment and legal attacks. We created the program with the goal of building a national network of lawyers at public and private universities who can serve as the first point of contact for researchers with questions about legal issues. Campus Reps do not provide direct representation to scientists. Instead, they serve as an educational resource and direct scientists to us as needed. Each Campus Rep receives training, materials, and ongoing support from CSLDF to prepare and assist them in working with scientists on their campus. Learn more about the program.
- Continuing Legal Education Workshops: We offer a variety of continuing legal education (CLE) workshops to help the legal community understand the issues facing researchers and how to defend them against frivolous lawsuits. Our workshops meet the mandatory CLE requirements of state bars and are held around the United States.
- Research Protections in State Open Records Laws: An Analysis and Ranking: This comprehensive report is for scientists, lawyers, and policymakers. It includes specific guidance on each state’s FOIA laws, and a detailed legal guide including statutes, cases, decisions and other pertinent legal information. Learn more and download the report.
A Guide to Open Records Laws and Protections for Research Materials
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Open records laws are valuable tools for government transparency, enabling the public to request documents related to state and federally…
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Past Events
Federal Advocacy and Legal Guidance for Researchers
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This AAG panel will arm scientists with the tools and information needed to reach out to elected officials and defend against common legal hurdles in the world of science and research.
Speaking Up for Science in All Three Branches of Government
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This free webinar on Thursday, November 12 will help scientists understand how they can engage with political processes in the wake of the 2020 election.
Tracking Threats as Climate Science, Law and Politics Collide
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After four turbulent years of deregulatory pressure and assaults on science and scientists, experts discuss the next steps at the intersection of climate science, law, and the public.
Join Our Legal Team
We need lawyers and firms to assist us on a pro bono basis by advising scientists. Send us a message to start a conversation.
Press Inquiries
Our attorneys are happy to talk with journalists about our work and topics at the intersection of climate and the law.
Take a Stand for Science
Science is under sustained attack. Your support help us fight for scientists and defend scientific integrity.