VIDEO: Does Merit Matter?

Restoring the Sciences Webinar Series

National Association of Scholars

In April 2023, twenty-nine prominent scholars published a public letter in the Journal of Controversial Ideas titled, "In Defense of Merit in Science." The question raises itself: Merit in science is a controversial idea?

"In Defense of Merit in Science" is an eloquent statement of a principle: science can only thrive if it embodies the best minds, who are allowed unfettered access to scientific frontiers. Yet, the academic science ecosystem is increasingly dominated by an administrative class that seeks to control scientists and curtail their freedom. This raises a second question: How can the principle effectively be defended? Can scientists do it from within the academy? Can faculty wrest their independence back?

This event features Bernhardt L. Trout, Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT, and Luana Maroja, Professor of Biology at Williams College. The event is moderated by J. Scott Turner.


Photo by jesse orrico on Unsplash

  • Share

Most Commented

September 6, 2024

1.

Professor Alleges "Widespread" Discriminatory Hiring Coverup at University of Washington

Audio acquired by the National Association of Scholars describes allegations of coverup race-based hiring coverup at the University of Washington...

October 29, 2024

2.

The Looming Irrelevance of Middle East Study Centers

Today’s Middle Eastern Studies Centers are facing a crisis due to the winds of change in the Middle East and their own ideological echo chamber....

September 25, 2024

3.

NAS Statement on University of Pennsylvania Sanction of Amy Wax

The National Association of Scholars is outraged—but not surprised—by Penn's decision to penalize Wax for exercising her academic freedom. ...

Most Read

May 15, 2015

1.

Where Did We Get the Idea That Only White People Can Be Racist?

A look at the double standard that has arisen regarding racism, illustrated recently by the reaction to a black professor's biased comments on Twitter....

October 12, 2010

2.

Ask a Scholar: What is the True Definition of Latino?

What does it mean to be Latino? Are only Latin American people Latino, or does the term apply to anyone whose language derived from Latin?...

September 21, 2010

3.

Ask a Scholar: What Does YHWH Elohim Mean?

A reader asks, "If Elohim refers to multiple 'gods,' then Yhwh Elohim really means Lord of Gods...the one of many, right?" A Hebrew expert answers....