On behalf of: STUDENTS AGAINST PSEUDOSCIENCE
We are living in turbulent times. Various global crises (climate, public health, geopolitical) taint the prospect of global security, and are all fuelled by the Pseudoscience Crisis. The current danger of the Pseudoscience Crisis partially derives from its exponential nature: misinformation is generated far more easily than scientific fact and travels at least six times faster on online spaces, while trust in science is becoming more polarised. Hence, as members of this University and as young people, we see cause for serious concern about the future of society and the place of science in it.
Currently, we see a gap in institutional response to this crisis, but more importantly, we see an opportunity for leadership. Specifically by this University.
We believe this University can and should grasp the opportunity for leadership by creating an infrastructure that brings all concerned members as well as relevant experts together on the topic of mis- and disinformation and pseudoscience. This infrastructure would be instrumental not only in connecting experts and non-experts in their shared interest and concern for this issue, but also in generating effective strategies to tackle this complex crisis by optimising the potential for progress embedded in the unique knowledge hub that is Cambridge.
For this reason, we are asking support for a clear goal. We would like to see the University take institutional responsibility by setting up a platform that is specifically designed to:
- Connect concerned members;
- Employ relevant expertise;
- Provide toolsets to better the institutional response to the current crisis.
Are you also worried about the Pseudoscience Crisis, and do you also believe the University can and should fill the current gap in leadership in tackling this crisis? We kindly ask you to sign this Manifesto. Via this route, we can capture the magnitude of concern that is living amongst the staff- and student body, and solidify the sense of urgency behind the proposed initiative.
