Ivory Tower Research Paper

It seems every other week there’s a new article on how scientists should escape the ivory tower and reach out to the “general public.” A lack of public trust in scientists is leading to problems such as delayed action on climate change. In many ways, social media has been a boon, allowing scientists to open the door and bring the public into the ivory tower to poke at our pipettes and scales, smell the chemicals and bobcat urine, taste the day-old coffee and stale pizza, and listen to the hissing of turtles and whistling of fume hoods. At the same time, we are humanizing ourselves with nerdy jokes and excitement over summer blockbusters, squeeing over cute animal pictures, and commiserating over our disappointments or upsetting moments while conducting research. For perhaps the first time in history people have easy access to our labs and our lives, and are able to see how …show more content…
But there are many scientists who feel that those who share this profession should not take sides in the social sphere and keep their eyes fixed on their data points. There are people who see the opening of scientific fields to scientists who are compelled to speak on issues such as racism, homophobia, and disabled access as leading to the marginalization (read: discrediting) of those fields. Yes, if scientists become advocates for issues, then those who wish to discredit them will discredit them. But ask yourself this: Exactly how does calling for the rights of Natives and blacks to have clean water to drink negatively affect my ability to estimate bobcat density? How does pushing for the right for everyone to marry whomever they wish negatively impact someone else’s search for ways to cure cancer? Doesn’t it matter more that we acknowledge our humanity and care about something rather than stand loftily and coolly above it