The Origins Podcast with Lawrence Krauss

Janice Fiamengo | The War on Science Interviews | Day 12

Aug 5, 2025
Janice Fiamengo, a Canadian cultural commentator and retired English professor, delves into the war on scientific integrity in academia. She discusses the implications of equity hiring practices, sharing personal experiences that reveal the emotional struggles of being judged on gender rather than merit. Fiamengo critically examines the distinction between equality and equity, arguing that current policies can lead to new forms of inequality. She also addresses the challenges of maintaining academic standards amidst pressures from social justice movements.
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ANECDOTE

Guilt in Equity Hiring

  • Janice Fiamengo shared feeling guilty about being hired due to equity policies rather than merit.
  • She noticed cognitive dissonance between advocating feminism and recognizing unfairness to qualified men.
INSIGHT

Equity Hiring’s Long Reach

  • Equity hiring has lasted over four decades without achieving its goals.
  • It pervades all academic work, affecting hiring, research, teaching, and mentorship.
INSIGHT

Legal Logic Behind Equity Hiring

  • Judge Rosalie Abella’s report justified equity hiring but contained illogical reasoning.
  • Historic group discrimination does not justify current individual exclusions, yet the report ignores this non sequitur.
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