Capacities and competencies in dealing with hate speech and hostility towards science (CAPAZ)

In recent decades, the number of attacks on scientists through digital communication platforms has increased. Researchers are exposed to negative influences such as hostility, defamation or attacks, which are spread for example through online media and social networks. This phenomenon has been particularly evident in the climate debate in recent years. In addition, scientists have recently been the target of populist campaigns and hate speech, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Online platforms exacerbate this trend by providing a space for negative remarks to be disseminated quickly and prominently. At the same time, there is a growing political desire for science to have a greater impact on society and for effective science communication.

New strategies for a resilient research system

Verbal attacks and threats against researchers on social media are a significant part of hostility towards science. They can have a negative impact on scientists’ willingness to engage with societal actors or to communicate their knowledge publicly. Therefore, it is immensely important to prevent hostility towards science and attacks on researchers. So far, however, there is a lack of effective resources, strategies and measures to deal with these attacks and their effects at the level of both, individual scientists and institutions. Consequently, capacities and competencies are needed for researchers and scientific institutions to deal with modern forms of hostility towards science.