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Between Fast Science and Fake News: Preprint Servers Are Political

Between Fast Science and Fake News: Preprint Servers Are Political

Preprints servers have become a vital medium for the rapid sharing of scientific findings. However, this speed and openness has also contributed to the ability of low quality preprints to derail public debate and feed conspiracy theories. 

Let's Hear Scientists with Different Covid-19 Views, Not Attack Them - STAT

Let's Hear Scientists with Different Covid-19 Views, Not Attack Them - STAT

Some scholars and academics wrongly ascribe scientists' legitimate disagreements about Covid-19 to ignorance or questionable political or other motivations.

After the COVID-19 Pandemic There Can Be No Return to Closed Working

After the COVID-19 Pandemic There Can Be No Return to Closed Working

Many outside observers might reasonably assume that science usually works like this. Yet open science is very far from the norm for most research.  Why is openly accessible science so important?

Women Academics Seem to Be Submitting Fewer Papers During Coronavirus

Women Academics Seem to Be Submitting Fewer Papers During Coronavirus

Editors of academic journals have started noticing a trend: Women - who inevitably shoulder a greater share of family responsibilities - seem to be submitting fewer papers, while men are submitting up to 50 percent more than they usually would.

Scientists Criticise UK Government's 'following the Science' Claim

Scientists Criticise UK Government's 'following the Science' Claim

Experts have voiced growing frustration over the UK government’s claim that it is “following the science”, saying the refrain is being used to abdicate responsibility for political decisions.

Unintended Consequences of Gender-equality Plans

Unintended Consequences of Gender-equality Plans

Don't let academia's initiatives to advance women become just another way to game the research system, urges Charikleia Tzanakou.

Shadow Minister Says REF 'serves No Purpose' - Research Professional News

Shadow Minister Says REF 'serves No Purpose' - Research Professional News

Emma Hardy says there will be no return to 'business as usual' after Covid-19 crisis. 

We Scientists Said Lock Down. But UK Politicians Refused to Listen

We Scientists Said Lock Down. But UK Politicians Refused to Listen

For 11 fateful days in March, the government ignored the best coronavirus advice, says public health professor Helen Ward. 

The Face Mask Debate Reveals a Scientific Double Standard

The Face Mask Debate Reveals a Scientific Double Standard

No one complained about the lack of evidence for 20-second hand-washing. So why did we treat face masks differently?

COVID-19 and the Future of Open Access

COVID-19 and the Future of Open Access

A systematic focus on governance – instead of, or at least alongside, open access – is vital for the future of publishing. Even if the for-profit publishing model is not going to be ‘killed’ any time soon, governance may still allow us to assert some control over it. Coupled with the publishing futures already being created and nurtured by library publishers, university presses and scholar-led collectives, we may be able to imagine a world that isn’t trapped in the logic of COVID-19.

Leadership to Change a Culture of Sexual Harassment

Leadership to Change a Culture of Sexual Harassment

How, then, does an agency like NSF—which has considerable influence but limited direct authority—work with the community and other institutions to implement change on issues that cannot wait? The case of NSF's work to combat harassment in the science community, a persistent problem for decades that remains shockingly widespread, is illustrative.