Launching our Newsletter “Undoing the Ivory Tower”

Written by: Elena Del Pup and William Dwyer

Welcome to Undoing the Ivory Tower, a newsletter exploring the role of #scientists in society and in creating social impact. Join us as we embark on a journey to uncover science’s hidden stories and discuss how scientists can make a tangible difference in the world around us.

The mission of this newsletter is to provide a space for scientists and nonscientists to think critically about the current state of global scientific research and how it may be improved to better serve the needs of societal actors (ie: NGOs, non-profits, civil society organizations). We focus specifically on developing nations and regions of the world historically excluded from scientific investment.

Undoing the Ivory Tower will highlight examples of global scientific cooperation and efforts by scientists whose work contributes to positive social impact.?

To serve this purpose, we want to feature:?

1. Stories from the #world about science and #society working together to drive positive change. These may include citizen science projects, collaborations between research institutions and societal actors, as well as knowledge and #technology networks in the Third Sector.?
2. Opinion pieces on science policy and science ethics, on the opportunities and pitfalls of global scientific #cooperation, on societal perception of science and related topics at the crossroads of research and society.
3. Interviews with scientists and various societal actors sharing their personal experience of scientific cooperation projects.???

This newsletter is hosted by The Good Scientists, a non-profit organization aiming to create a space for scientists and societal actors to connect, communicate, and work towards a common goal. By featuring both scientific and nonscientific guest writers in our articles, we hope to foster a reciprocal interchange between researchers and societal #stakeholders and to provide you, our readers, with voices from both of these worlds.?

What is the Ivory Tower?

The Ivory Tower is a metaphor commonly used to describe an environment – typically one of intellectual pursuit, like academic institutions – which intentionally isolates itself from practical matters and the reach of everyday people.?

Much of today’s scientific research is conducted from within an Ivory Tower, kept away from the public by an arcane publication industry and its barrage of journal paywalls and inaccessible language. Even in countries like the United States, where taxpayer money funds nearly half of all basic research, the aims of research institutions are all too frequently driven by personal motivations rather than by the priorities of citizens.

The opaque walls of the Ivory Tower worsen a growing sentiment of distrust in science, reducing the opportunities for proactive #collaboration between science and societal actors.?

Critics of the Ivory Tower have warned of its dangers for decades. In a letter to her father in the summer of 1940, British chemist Rosalind Franklin, whose work enabled the discovery of the structure of DNA, writes: “Science and everyday life cannot and should not be separated”, noting that science on its own gives only “a partial explanation of life”.

Never has Franklin's warning rung more true than today, with society facing the complex global challenges of #food insecurity, #climate change, and #biodiversity decline. The existential threats looming on our horizon are shifting society's expectations of what it means to be a scientist. Researchers are expected to engage with real-world challenges, to provide tangible solutions towards solving 21st century problems and to train the next generation of scientists to be driven by a desire to create positive social impact.

Rethinking the role of scientists in society requires rethinking the research landscape. We believe the current Ivory Tower structure of #research institutions fails to provide sufficient opportunities and role models for young scientists eager to apply their research "for good".

Not another SciComm blog?

There already exist countless blogs, channels, and newsletters centered around science communication. While their mission is important, we want to differentiate ourselves from these channels: our newsletter will not be another outlet for the latest scientific news or for scientists to talk about their research. Instead, we invite our audience to think critically about the interplay between scientific practice and society; how can one shape the other, and vice-versa, to drive meaningful and lasting social change??

#SciComm helps develop a shared language between researchers and the public. But making science truly actionable for societal stakeholders requires #SciCoop: scientific cooperation.

Call for Authors?

This newsletter will be powered by an online community of #writers from scientific and nonscientific backgrounds. Consider being a guest writer if you are:?

1. A #researcher who wants to share some thoughts about scientific cooperation for social impact, pitfalls in current scientific practices, or express dissenting opinions traditionally unwelcome in scientific journals. Researchers at any career level are encouraged to contribute.?
2. An employee at an #NGO, charitable or #voluntary organization who wants to share experiences and expectations when collaborating with academic institutions or interacting with researchers. Examples of technical challenges faced by mission-driven stakeholders are particularly welcome.?
3. A #citizen of the world eager to participate in the conversation! We would love to hear your ideas, even if you don't fit into either of the first 2 categories.

Submit your article ideas here. Authorship will be acknowledged.?

We'd love to hear from you: tell us in the comments section below which topics you would like to see covered in the newsletter and subscribe to receive our monthly articles in your inbox.

Do you want to join our team of volunteers? Apply here to see our open volunteering positions!

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