Heterodox Out Loud

How Trump’s Policy Shift is Reshaping Scientific Research with Ivan Oransky | Ep 31

Mar 4, 2025
Ivan Oransky, co-founder of Retraction Watch and a distinguished journalist at NYU, dives into how Trump’s executive orders are reshaping scientific research. He discusses the chilling effects on academic freedom, expressing concern over censorship and self-censorship among researchers. Oransky explores the historical context of government funding, tracing its impact on scientific priorities and independence. He warns of the growing influence of politics on inquiry and the potential consequences for the future of scientific discovery.
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INSIGHT

Existential Dread in Science

  • Trump's attacks on science, researchers, and budgets create existential dread.
  • This dread causes scientists to leave the field, hindering scientific progress.
ANECDOTE

Retraction Watch

  • Ivan Oransky co-founded Retraction Watch, a blog and database exposing scientific fraud and retractions.
  • The website covers issues in scientific publishing, including fraud and retractions.
INSIGHT

History of Government Funding

  • Government funding of university research is relatively new, arising in the 1940s.
  • Universities initially resisted this funding to protect their independence and academic freedom.
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