Censorship in the Sciences: Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Censorship in sciences entails suppression of the investigation of scientific questions, or the publication or dissemination of scientific research, on the grounds that such knowledge would be dangerous, undesirable, or contrary to moral, political, or religious beliefs, attitudes or values adhered to by some segment of the population.

This conference brings together experts (both within and outside academia) to address a series of contentious issues about scientific censorship. When, if ever, does rejection of manuscripts for publication or grants for funding constitute censorship? How much of a role, if any, should ethical/moral issues play in deciding which scientific ideas to disseminate? What are the likely costs and benefits of institutionalized censorship, how do we decide, and who decides, when the benefits outweigh the costs?

When and how do university administrations and funding agencies, through either action or inaction, mask censorship by finding ostensibly “other” reasons to silence scientists? How does censorship of scientists or scientific ideas manifest? Is compelled speech a form of censorship, and, if so, how does it manifest in science?

By bringing together experts with widely varying perspectives on censorship from within the natural sciences, social sciences, philosophy, humanities, and law we aim to host a civil conversation regarding these different perspectives and sharpen the understanding of what is and is not scientific censorship and when it may and may not be justified.

The following topics will be discussed during the course of the conference:

What is censorship? When is it bad and when is it good? Ethical reasons for censorship.
Scientific freedom versus social responsibility; tradeoffs between pro-social considerations and scientific progress
Science of censorship and philosophical roots of censorship; mechanisms of censorship (e.g., by scientists themselves, funding agencies, review panels, editorial boards, professional societies and organizations)
Compelled speech as a form of censorship
Censorship of research results versus censorship of discussion on science policy
Censorship as a part of cancel culture
Censorship of scientists in the public square

Dates: January 10-12, 2025 (Fri-Sun)

Venue: Los Angeles area (TBA)

Duration: 3 days (6 half-day sessions, 9-12, 1-5)

Format: Invited talks, panel discussions, and social gathering

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Organizing committee: Anna Krylov (USC), Arie Kapteyn (USC, CESR), Margaret Crable (USC Dornsife, Communication), Michele Warnock (USC, CESR), Lee Jussim (Rutgers), Ivan Marinovic (Stanford)

Advisory board: Alexander Arnold (Heterodox Academy), Cory Clark (UPenn), Barry Honig (Columbia, AASL), Luana Maroja (Williams), Sean Stevens (FIRE), Abigail Thompson (UC Davis, AFA), Keith Whittington (Yale, AFA)