Science hostility: What we know and what we can do about it

Public communication on controversial issues like climate change or global health crises has meant that science is more relevant than ever before. At the same time, it has made researchers vulnerable to attacks that undermine their credibility, potentially  silencing them and prompting them to withdraw from the public sphere. In 2023, we launched the project Capacities and Competencies in Dealing with Hate Speech and Hostility towards Science (KAPAZ), funded by the Volkswagen Foundation. It seeks to understand the prevalence and forms of science hostility in Germany and aims to create resources to support researchers. Early findings indicate that hostility arises from both scientific and non-scientific actors, manifesting as online harassment, verbal threats and even physical attacks. The project highlights the need for communication training, institutional support and protective measures to empower researchers to deal with these challenges. Through different initiatives and programmes, KAPAZ aims to foster organisational change, equip researchers with strategies to manage hostility and promote constructive public engagement.