2 Scientists who become activists: are they crossing a line?
This commentary explores a traditionally posited boundary between science and politics, with particular attention to activist scientists who engage in public communication. Work in fields like science and technology studies shows that framing this boundary in terms of epistemological rules can fail. Boundaries dictating proper scientific activities are at best pragmatic, context-dependent, and fluid. Undoubtedly, certain kinds of politics can undermine the integrity of scientific knowledge, but it is imperative to recognise that all science is political. As we see with activist climate scientists, specific scientific knowledge carries far-reaching political consequences. It is thus problematical to call for the ‘de-politicization’ of science or science communication. Perhaps a turn from epistemic to ethical concerns offers a more constructive way forward.