Les
On 3/17/2025 10:03 AM, Brian Frost wrote:
*** Attention: This is an external email. Use caution responding, opening attachments or clicking on links. ***Hi Perry -
I am also a young American hearing scientist (postdoc at Rockefeller University) with serious concerns about the state of auditory research/NIDCD funding in the United States. It is true that there has been little in terms of vocal pushback from our community. For example, a quick google search will show that there are no high-profile articles regarding our field in response to funding cuts. It is important, if you would like to organize such a response, to formalize what is meant by:
1) Statement2) Senior leaders
It may not be productive to chastise people for "looking to comply" or "save themselves" when later-career researchers are also at threat from public funding cuts. In my experience, people across the field and across age groups are concerned not only for themselves but for their students and colleagues. There is not really a way for such people to comply or save themselves if their grants disappear. There is a sense of futility and fear at all levels. It is also important to note that our colleagues span the political spectrum, and many may be in support of the cuts -- we cannot speak for the entire field.
I would support, very much, a public statement from scientists in the field that could hopefully make it to a high-profile publication such as the New York Times. A productive and well-led team could certainly draft such a statement, but it would need to be backed by late-career, awarded scientists to have any impact.
I can say that many young scientists at auditory labs here in New York, and at least two PIs from institutions I am familiar with would probably be willing to consider this idea. They are not on this list and I cannot speak for them, but I can reach out. Such a statement would require significant organization that is not so easy to achieve in any field. If any senior scientist in this email chain would be interested in spearheading such an effort, that would be wonderful. Otherwise, the idea is DoA because the concern is not sufficiently present in the community -- that would be a shame, but may be the case.
Thanks,Brian Frost
On Mon, Mar 17, 2025 at 12:14 AM T. T. Perry <trevortperry@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Auditory List,
I'm a hearing scientist in America where science and s cientists are under extremely heavy attack, Orban style. Yet I've seen almost no statements from senior leaders in our field defending science and early career scientists. Perhaps I'm in a bubble and just haven't witnessed these statements myself.
Where are the leaders of our field and why are they so quiet? Does auditory science have a future in America? Are "mid" and "late stage" career people just looking to comply and save themselves?
What have you heard lately?
Sincerely,Perrythey/them
--
Leslie R. Bernstein, Ph.D.
|
Professor Emeritus
Depts. of Neuroscience and Surgery (Otolaryngology) | UConn School of
Medicine
263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-3401
Office: 860.679.4622 | Fax: 860.679.2495
263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-3401
Office: 860.679.4622 | Fax: 860.679.2495