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Heterodox Out Loud

The Battle for Impartial Science with Anna Krylov | Ep 27

Jan 7, 2025
In this discussion, Anna Krylov, a Professor of Chemistry at USC known for her contributions in quantum chemistry and a champion of meritocracy, tackles the contentious influence of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) on scientific progress. She shares concerns about how DEI mandates could undermine merit-based funding and public trust in science. The conversation dives into the implications of gender quotas, the rise of 'citation justice,' and the potential societal costs of prioritizing ideology over objective inquiry, questioning the future integrity of scientific research.
01:04:10

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in scientific funding can undermine meritocracy, stifling innovation and creating public mistrust.
  • Current challenges to liberal epistemology threaten the objectivity of scientific discourse by evaluating knowledge based on identity rather than merit.

Deep dives

The Impact of Gender Quotas on Scientific Merit

Implementing gender quotas in hiring can compromise the quality of candidates in academia and other fields. Specifically, universities like MIT have been noted for following such quotas, resulting in hiring outcomes that may not reflect the best talent available. Hiring equal numbers of women and men does not guarantee that the women hired will match the top-tier qualifications of the best men due to the inherent asymmetry in applicant pools. This deviation from meritocracy poses risks, particularly in scientific disciplines where unique combinations of talent and creativity are essential for breakthroughs.

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