“Beyond being analysts of doom”: scientists on the frontlines of climate action

Abstract

What happens when scientists become activists? In this paper, we discuss the principles, commitments and experiences of Scientist Rebellion (SR), a movement of scientists, academics, and researchers committed to activism, advocacy and non-violent civil disobedience against the (in)actions of governments, corporations and other institutions, including academic ones. In sharing experiences from the frontlines of direct actions with SR along with the perspectives from individual scientists, coming from a variety of geographical locations, and a range of academic levels and disciplines, we reflect on the need to transgress the boundaries of a system of knowledge production and education that is effectively reproducing the very structures that have led us into climate and ecological crises. This article provides a reflective and critical engagement with Scientist Rebellion, drawing on a range of interviews with activists, as well as material from and about Scientist Rebellion. We conclude with a reflection on the relation between scientists and their institutions, as well as a mobilizing plea to the scientific community to take action.

Wanting to be part of change but feeling overworked and disempowered: Researchers’ perceptions of climate action in UK universities

“…They have the potential to effect change through advocacy and activism, defined respectively as behaviours that involve "listening, amplifying, and promoting an issue, cause or organization [that are] low-cost or low-risk" and those that are "more direct, committed, and vigorous [that are] high-cost and high-risk" [41] which also "draw public attention and concern to an issue" [42]. Both approaches have been used by academics who have publicly urged governments and universities to take action [43,44], with some advocating for peaceful civil disobedience by scientists and acting on it [45][46][47]. Some argue that more academics and students need to engage in activism to create transformations in universities [22,48], though as we explore below, some literature suggests they face barriers in engaging in environmental activity at all.…”

Actions speak louder than words: the case for responsible scientific activism in an era of planetary emergency

“…Scientific activist organizations are recognizing that while in many instances academics do occupy a relatively high level of safety and privilege, the risks of getting involved in direct action are not the same for everyone, whether because of sex, class, race, and the precarious nature of employment for many academics [9]. We emphasize that activism and actions can come in many forms—from letter campaigns to teach-ins, occupations, boycotts and disruption of events, infrastructure and institutions.…”

“…In this Commentary, we reflect on the evidence base of how scientists can best contribute to rapid, transformative societal change and supplement this with our own experiences as members of Scientists for Extinction Rebellion (www.scientistsforxr.earth) in the UK and Scientists Rebellion (scientistrebellion.org) which is active in more than 30 countries [9,10]. Both are groups of scientists who use peaceful non-violent civil disobedience, among other tactics, to push for emergency action on the climate and nature crisis.…”

“No research on a dead planet”: preserving the socio-ecological conditions for academia

“…Tackling the persistence of Eurocentric perspectives and acknowledging climate (in)justice in teaching and research, as Sultana insists (Sultana, 2022, p. 8), requires that we 'address knowledge production and epistemic underpinnings of climate coloniality.' Even in academic climate activism, these power relations remain acute (Artico et al, 2023).…”