Critical historical scholarship is an important pillar of democratic societies. However, without democratic and legal frameworks, historians and their research are at risk.
What does it mean for historians when democracy and self-governing scientific institutions come under attack, with their legitimacy called into question from various sides? How can historians react to social media’s increased platforming of hostility towards science?
As part of an event organized by the «Science Policy» Department of the Swiss Society for History, three organizations (Comité de Vigilance face aux usages publics de l’histoire, hist4dem, Network of Concerned Historians) will highlight examples of best practice, explore how scholars from different disciplines can learn from each other, and discuss opportunities for networking across disciplines.
We will examine attacks on researchers and research and ask: How can a legitimate scientific debate be protected from agenda-driven misrepresentation? What logic do attacks in the digital space follow, how can we respond, and what are their longer-term effects? What can historians learn from the climate sciences in terms of attacks on researchers and research? We will conclude our event with an online presentation and discussion with Naomi Oreskes on the current situation in the United States, drawing on her extensive experience with attacks on scientific research.
Programme
10.15–10.30: Introduction, Sandra Bott, Francesca Falk
10.30–10.55: Was ist die Funktion des Presserats in der Schweiz? Wie unterscheidet er Debatte von Diffamierung?, Monika Dommann
10.55–11.00: Break
11.00–11.25: Angriffe auf Forschende im analogen und digitalen Raum: Dynamiken und Handlungsmöglichkeiten, Anna Jobin
11.25–11.30: Break
11.30–11.55: Wie gehen die Klimawissenschaften mit Angriffen um? Was für Verhaltensweisen und Strategien haben sich bewährt?, Stefan Brönnimann
11.55–12.00: Break
12.00–12.30: Discussion, Francesca Falk, Pauline Milani (Moderation)
12.30–13.45: Lunch break
13.45–15.15: Organisations and Initatives
Chair: Sandra Bott
Comité de Vigilance face aux usages publics de l’histoire
hist4dem
Network of Concerned Historians (NCH)
15.15–15.30: Launch of the NCH-Website
15.30–16.00: Break
16.00–17.00: The Current Situation in the United