Home 9 Areas of Work 9 Scientific Integrity ( Page 9 )

Fighting for Scientific Integrity and the

Protection of Scientists

Government scientists are often under political pressure to alter, dilute, or suppress their findings on issues of controversy. All too frequently, government leaders interfere with the work of scientists that threaten powerful interests. This is especially true for scientists working on environmental and public health issues, who must contend with:

- Alteration or disregard of environmental assessments;
- Interference in research and staffing decisions; and,
- Retaliation for conclusions that are inconvenient to a political viewpoint or that expose scientific integrity abuses.

For each story in the news about political interference in science, scores of other instances are taking place behind the scenes in government laboratories, grant review sessions, and field stations across the country.

PEER provides free, accessible, and completely confidential legal consultation and counsel to government scientists. We work to keep government science strong, independent, and transparent so that it can support effective decision-making.

Are you a government scientist in need of advice? Contact us. PEER offers many forms of assistance to scientists and is one of the only organizations in the country to assist government employees in filing scientific integrity complaints, complaints with Inspectors General, and in other forums.

LEARN MORE

Defending Academic Freedom

Listen to the story of Dr. David Carpenter, a long-tenured professor who PEER represented when his University placed restrictions on his work after it drew negative attention from Monsanto. Learn more»

Representing Government Scientists

PEER regularly represents government scientists like Jonathan Lundgren, PhD, a former USDA scientist whose agency prioritized “Big Ag” over his research. He shares how PEER helped him protect the integrity of his scientific work. Learn more»

Strengthening Scientific Integrity

Strong scientific integrity policies are crucial to protect the work of scientists within the federal government. PEER organized a sign on letter urging the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to strengthen its model policy, Learn more»

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A SNAPSHOT OF PEER’S PAST EFFORTS

Here are some examples of how PEER has made a difference:

Advised a major federal union on strengthening scientific integrity policies, resulting in the first union provision protecting scientific integrity in a collective bargaining agreement.
Successfully represented a leading wolf expert in resolving an academic freedom complaint after his work came under attack from the livestock industry.
Filed an Inspector General complaint that EPA had downplayed the cancer risks of a common soil fumigant and nematicide, which the IG later confirmed.
Fought against gag rules in scientific integrity policies that limit government scientists’ ability to speak on policy issues.

PEER’S PERSPECTIVE

New Integrity Rules Differ on Allowable Scientist Speech

Agencies Range from Bans on Policy Discussion to “Open Discourse” Pledges

Statement | Biden Administration’s New Direction on Climate

Jan 28, 2021

Biden’s executive orders are the first steps to a rapid transition from fossil fuels and increased protections for our communities, public lands and oceans.

Op-Ed | Viewpoint: EPA Needs to Return to Its Public Health Roots

Jan 20, 2021

By returning to its public health roots, the EPA can begin to restore the public’s trust in its ability to protect both public health and the environment.

BLOG | The Dumpster Fire Presidency in Review

Jan 19, 2021

The Trump Administration went out of its way to violate “good government” laws and norms. Here’s a list of their worst “Dirty Dozen” abuses.

BLOG | Don’t Mention COVID-19 at NOAA

Jul 22, 2020

NOAA has informed its employees to avoid mentions of COVID-19 in publicly available documents as the hyper-political White House attempts to win reelection.

Allegations Against Climate Scientist Fall Apart

Jul 20, 2020

University of Colorado Bureaucratic Infighting Disrupts Climate Research

PEERMail | Climate Change Intensifies While University Stifles Research

Jul 1, 2020

Greenhouse gases continue to rise to record levels driving global climate change, but one university is curtailing research by firing influential scientist.