But universities are not letting it go and are now taking measures.

Being threatened with death because you share the latest scientific insights or interpret current events on the basis of them. It may sound crazy, but it happened to several OMT members over the past year and a half. The threats and resulting lawsuits were regularly reported widely in the press and almost suggest that only virologists are involved. But nothing is less true; After public appearances, scientists from all kinds of fields increasingly have to deal with offline and online threats and intimidation. A few months ago, for example, Nadia Bouras, a historian at Leiden University, found a sticker of the radical right-wing platform Vizier op Links on her front door. The sticker stated that Bouras was being watched by followers of the platform. And so there are even more scientists who are harassed in the private sphere in addition to hate emails and threat tweets. As a result, some feel compelled to install surveillance cameras at home and security must be arranged from the institution.

Staff members

And it doesn’t stop with scientists either. “It also affects university staff, such as board members and Diversity Officers, such as myself,” says Aya Ezawa, sociologist and Diversity Officer at Leiden University. “Diversity Officers are often not threatened or intimidated because of anything they have said, but purely because of the position they hold.” Esawa experienced it firsthand. “Of course you can be critical of the diversity policy. But xenophobic, homophobic and validistic comments about the Diversity Officer as a person do not belong there.” In addition, radical right-wing platforms also have Ezawa in their sights. “Apparently, I, along with other Diversity Officers, are also on the list of Links Unmasked. Besides, threats and intimidation target a broad political spectrum, this concerns transgressive behavior regardless of political views.”

The numbers

The many cases in the vicinity of Ezawa suggest that intimidation and threats against scientists and university employees is a common problem. Unfortunately, there are no hard figures about the percentage of scientists who are confronted with threats and intimidation in the Netherlands. But there are certainly indications that it occurs frequently. It appears that every university in the Netherlands has employees who have received threats after media appearances or because of their position or field. And a survey of 372 Dutch scientists recently found that in the past five years, 43 percent of scientists have been threatened either offline or online after a public performance. “It’s definitely a big problem,” Ezawa confirms. Possibly even larger than the anecdotal evidence for it suggests. “I think a lot of cases are still under the radar.” In addition, Ezawa has to conclude that it is also a problem that female scientists and researchers with a migration background have to deal with. “The tone of the responses they get is much fiercer. The amount of negative reactions is also greater.”

Impact

It is clear that the threats and intimidation have a major impact on all scientists who come into contact with them. “It definitely has an impact on what you dare to write or say.” This is also evident from the survey mentioned above. As many as 86 percent of researchers who report having experienced threats or intimidation also reveal that they have become more cautious in their public statements. And thus freedom of expression is at stake. But academic freedom is also at stake, emphasizes Ezawa. “The problem affects not only what scientists dare to say, but also what they research. It’s worrying when scientists consider changing the subject of research because it’s safer.”

Pandemic

Recently, newspaper reports about threatened OMT members have brought more attention to threats and intimidation of scientists. But anyone who thinks it all started during the pandemic is wrong. “The problem has been going on for much longer,” says Ezawa. “But I think it has become much more visible during the pandemic, because for a year and a half life mainly took place on digital platforms, where people’s behavior is also very different.” At the same time, however, Ezawa believes that the problem has worsened in recent times. “And that has everything to do with the tone of social discussions, the degree of polarization and the way in which people deal with science and facts. I do see a cultural shift in that regard. People no longer know what an opinion is, what facts are and what science is. There are also many negative emotions. And in such a culture, it’s not surprising that scientists face threats and intimidation.”

Guide

It may not be surprising. But it is also not acceptable. And so the Association of Universities (VSNU) took action. “We applaud the fact that our scientists use their knowledge and insights for the benefit of society,” emphasizes VSNU chairman Pieter Duisenberg in a press release. “But when that leads to intimidation and threats, we see it as an outright attack on academic freedom and freedom of expression.” And to counter that attack, the VSNU recently published a guideline for universities containing measures and recommendations intended to protect and support scientists. The guideline has been embraced by all Dutch universities and a number of measures have now come into effect nationwide. For example, all universities have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to threats and intimidation of scientists. In concrete terms, this means that a report is always made. In addition, researchers who are confronted with threats can count on psychosocial help and prevention is also used, for example by offering training in online resilience.

Powerful Recommendations

Ezawa is happy with the help. “The recommendations are very strong. And what I am also very happy about is that the guideline ensures that this problem is now being discussed within the universities. That people talk to each other about what they are experiencing and how they experience it. In addition, it is very nice that with this guideline, universities are standing squarely behind their scientists and are going to offer threatened colleagues the help they need. Because it is very different if you have to figure it all out yourself.”

The guide does not remove the problem, but offers tools for dealing with it. Should scientists then get used to receiving threatening tweets, hate mails and intimidating visits to their private addresses? Esawa doesn’t want to hear about it. “It should never be the intention that you get used to transgressive behaviour. The consequences it has for well-being and health are too great for that. At the same time, we also cannot prevent it from happening. But what does help is that researchers now know that their university is behind them and can help.”