Author Archives: Andrew Westbrook

In 2021 SBCA proposed a new minimum standards policy which would set limits on Brown’s business and financial relationships with organizations that promote science disinformation. Following a review and recommendation of the proposal by the Advisory Committee on University Resources Management (ACURM), President Paxson announced that Brown would establish a new policy for gifts, grants, […]

On September 22, 2021, Scholars at Brown for Climate Action convened a panel on Disinformation and Academia. Panelists were Dan Dudis (Environmental Counsel, US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse’s office), Emily Ferrier (Librarian, Brown University), Dr. Ashish Jha (Dean of the School of Public Health, Brown University), and Dr. Kate Moretti (Asst. Prof. of Emergency Medicine, Brown […]

A Panel Discussion Big scale problems like climate change and COVID-19 require big scale cooperation to address. Solutions are especially vulnerable to consensus-eroding effects of disinformation. If academics generate and disseminate knowledge for the public good, what role should Academia play in combatting disinformation? What role can it play when public trust is on the line?  […]

In a show of leadership, Yale University recently approved a set of ethical investment principles, establishing new standards for investment / divestment decisions. Importantly, and mirroring our own proposals for minimum standards on disinformation, one of their key principles establishes that companies in which Yale invests: “… should not undermine but support accurate climate science […]

Recently, SBCA presented our ideas and solicited feedback about our minimum standards proposals to the Faculty Executive Committee. Our presentation is below. Make sure to check the Speaker Notes (click the three dots) to see supporting text.

As the climate crisis deepens, so does the gulf between people who accept basic climate science and those who reject it. A shadowy network of anti-science organizations continues to promote climate skepticism in the US — and academic institutions like Brown face a direct threat from them. Who is behind the climate denial movement, and […]

On August 12, 2020, Dr. Gordon Pennycook discussed his research into the cognitive and cultural factors informing why people believe what they believe about climate change. In a fascinating and stimulating talk, Dr. Pennycook discussed the role of cognitive abilities, receptivity to expertise, and the influence of misinformation. Click on the video above to see […]

Join our Zoom discussion with Dr. Gordon Pennycook, Assistant Professor of Behavioral Science at the University of Regina this Wednesday, August 12 at 4:00 pm EDT. Dr. Pennycook studies the psychology of belief formation and how that shapes people’s opinions about issues like climate change in a world full of misinformation. To sign up for […]

On this Earth Day (April 22, 2020), Scholars at Brown for Climate Action hosted a discussion with Dr. Julia Steinberger, Professor of Social Ecology & Ecological Economics at the University of Leeds on human wellbeing and planetary sustainability. Check out our recorded Zoom meeting for a fascinating and insightful conversation!

In response to the coronavirus, we are postponing our faculty forum on Brown’s response to the climate crisis (originally March 18) for a later date (TBD). Please stay tuned for future updates about our re-scheduled forum.