In the United States, a troubling trend has emerged wherein researchers find themselves increasingly sidelined by politically appointed officials in key decision-making positions related to scientific inquiry. This assertion comes from Marianne Holmer, the chair of the Research Policy Committee in Denmark and a prominent member of the Society of Science.
“I hear from various sources that this is the reality in the U.S. right now; professionals are being marginalized,” she stated.
She pointed out that the recommendations made by these experts can easily be overridden by new appointees to research commissions. This is particularly concerning when one considers that these decisions can be made even after a thorough peer review process has taken place.
Tom Dans has previously been recognized by the New York Times as one of three influential figures in Greenland, as noted by DR last year, a status under scrutiny by the police’s intelligence service. He chairs the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, which is shifting its focus towards safety concerns in the region.
Holmer, echoing the concerns of U.S. expert Rasmus Sinding Søndergaard, expressed that Dans’s involvement in Arctic research raises significant eyebrows.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he indeed wields considerable influence,” she remarked.
This evolving landscape is one that should be taken seriously, Holmer warns.
“From what I’m hearing about the current situation in the United States, there’s a manipulation of what was once a very objective system. Many of us in the research community are deeply disturbed by this,” she added.
Recent reports from KNR have highlighted a whale researcher who opted to withdraw from collaboration with U.S. counterparts, a decision linked to concerns about Dans’s role as chair of the American research commission focused on the Arctic.
Political Oversight in Research
In a notable development, Alaska’s governor and Trump supporter, Mike Dunleavy, was also appointed by the former president to serve on the U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC).
As reported by the Alaska Beacon, the commission has shifted its focus from Arctic climate studies to military and security issues.
Mike Dunleavy, Alaska’s governor, is seen as a key figure alongside Tom Dans in the Arctic Research Commission. Together, they aim to launch ambitious initiatives, as Dans highlighted the primacy of safety within the commission’s objectives.
Media reports have captured Dans articulating this strategic shift. “We’ve gained an extremely qualified individual and a strong voice on the commission,” he remarked, highlighting safety as the paramount theme moving forward.
For Holmer, this is a troubling indication of a broader trend where political figures are increasingly dictating the terms of scientific research.
Heightened Security Measures at Universities
The Society of Science Societies has noted that Danish universities have ramped up security protocols affecting international collaborations to levels not seen since the Cold War.
During that era, the U.S. Department of Defense controlled research funding to ensure it aligned with military priorities.
Camp Century, an American military base built under the Ice Sheet, was established to explore the feasibility of concealing nuclear weapons beneath the ice, giving the U.S. a strategic advantage during the Cold War.
Holmer explains that while the focus has traditionally been on security regarding nations like Russia, Iran, and China, the U.S. now joins that list, particularly in discussions about Greenland.
Current restrictions dictate that military and defense-related research must be conducted in designated research centers in Denmark. Additionally, universities have established rigorous screening processes for employees and partners with connections to countries previously mentioned.
At the University of Southern Denmark, for example, researchers are forbidden from bringing personal devices when traveling to China.
“The intention is that this applies to all researchers, regardless of whether they are involved in critical technologies,” Holmer added.