Share thisSOCIETY FOR NEUROSCIENCE GUIDE FOR PROTECTING SCIENTISTS AND RESEARCH
On February 6, 2008, the Society for Neuroscience published “Best Practices for Protecting Research and Researchers,” 1 in order to improve protection of academic researchers from intimidation, harassment, and physical attacks by anti-animal research extremists,2,3 This document recommends a specific actions that research institutions can take to protect their employees, while advancing scientific knowledge and medical progress.
A blueprint based on lessons learned from universities, researchers, and organizations, this Best Practices document suggests practical actions that universities may take to protect its researchers:
- Provide public leadership and public commitment to researchers and the research enterprise;
- Develop and implement security protocols and relationships in advance of attacks; and
- Support policy and public communication solutions at the federal, state, and local levels.
Best Practices for Protecting Researchers and Research–Excerpted Recommendations for Universities and Institutions http://www.sfn.org/skins/main/pdf/gpa/Best_Practices_for_Protecting.pdf
Recommendations
To support the vital progress of scientific research, as well as the health and economic well being of the university or institution, the nation, and the global science community, each university and research institution should adopt the following plan in order to pre-empt and react to anti-research activists:
1. Leadership and Administration
Provide regular, explicit public affirmation from the institutional leadership in support of academic freedom and state the institutional commitment to ensuring the protection of those individuals exercising it. The responsibility for protecting researchers under attack lies at the highest level of the executive and academic administration. The president or chancellor will demonstrate strong interest and leadership in cases of attack and communicate that leadership is personally responsible for the safety of the researchers.
In cases where researchers are under attack, pursue legal measures, public declarations, statements of support, provisions of accurate information to the public, and other forms of sustaining moral and psychological support. Successful implementation of these actions must start at the top of the institution; administration, security personnel, and public affairs and communications departments also have important roles to play.
When illegal activities occur, publicly support and encourage prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. Where appropriate and whenever possible, the administration and its counsel will pursue legal actions on behalf of the researcher, relieving them of the burden of seeking legal protection.
Request formal support from the academic senate or equivalent body. Such an entity should bring forward and vote on a resolution condemning the attempt to intimidate or use violence against any member of the university or institution who is appropriately engaged in research activity, and would be supplemented by an annual and explicit statement from administration endorsing the same principles. '