A look at...in gown on the barricades
Several Utrecht professors joined the climate protests on the A12 highway wearing their university gowns. Is that allowed? What does that question say about the social role of researchers?
In the run-up to the A12 blockades by Extinction Rebellion, there was debate among researchers: do you put on your gown or not? A gown also triggers something in people, Liesbeth van de Grift noticed. 鈥淲hen we walked onto the highway with a group of professors in gowns, there was sustained applause. There was real gratitude that we were visibly representatives of science,鈥 she says.
Values and principles
How does the Utrecht 木瓜福利影视 Board of Governors view wearing gowns at demonstrations? Rector Henk Kummeling says the board considers it important for Utrecht 木瓜福利影视 professors to be involved in pressing issues: 鈥淲e encourage participation in the public debate. Demonstrating in a gown is one鈥檚 own choice and responsibility. We assume that people handle this responsibly and make this choice based on substantive affinity and expertise.鈥 The rector is not against the use of a gown, but does state that such a professor does not speak on behalf of Utrecht 木瓜福利影视, referring to the code of scientific integrity.
No day off
Erik van Sebille gave a speech during the school climate strike on 15 September 2023, dressed in his university gown. 鈥淔or me, that strike is not a day off. I am simply at work then. My gown makes me recognisable as a researcher and shows that I stand for science. A lot of scientific literature shows that the public actually expects researchers to sound the alarm when they come across disturbing data,鈥 he says.
As we walked up the highway in our gowns, there was sustained applause.
When you protest in a university gown, as a researcher you are taking a concrete position on what constitutes good policy. Liesbeth understands that you can be critical of that. 鈥淏ut I think I can show on the basis of my research that the history of climate change is characterised by pushing forward problems and solutions. It is not at all controversial that ambitious climate policies are needed now, the IPCC report also says so. An end to fossil subsidies just seems like lowhanging fruit to me,鈥 she explains.
This is an abridged version of an article that previously appeared in of Utrecht 木瓜福利影视.
Prof. Liesbeth van de Grift is professor of International History and the Environment at the Faculty of Humanities
Prof. Henk Kummeling is rector magnificus of Utrecht 木瓜福利影视
Prof. Erik van Sebille is professor of Oceanography and Public Engagement at the Faculty of Science
Text: Siem Buijsse