In anticipation of the upcoming federal election, the University of Saskatchewan Faculty Association is working to raise voter awareness about protecting the integrity of research and development through a campaign called Get Research Right.

Get Research Right is part of a larger national program called Get Science Right, headed by the Canadian Association of University Teachers. Both programs were created in response to the federal government’s current approach to scientific research and funding. The USFA hopes to build upon the momentum created by Get Science Right, and suggests steps to support all areas of research that are in the public interest.

While research may not seem like an inherently political issue, Linda McMullen, professor of psychology at the U of S and vice chair of the USFA, describes the link between politics and university academics.

“At the U of S, we wanted to extend our contribution to focus on all forms of research, scholarly and artistic work, and to draw particular attention to concerns such as the general underfunding of many forms of academic work, the privileging of large, collaborative, industry-sponsored research partnerships; the awarding of large grants to fewer researchers, [and] the trend toward more and more targeted funding to support the agenda of the federal government,” McMullen said in an email to the Sheaf.

McMullen added that the “muzzling of scientists” and the closure of research facilities and libraries is also a main concern for the group.

Although Get Research Right may appear to emphasize the concern of working university professors, McMullen insists that its aims are relevant to current students at the U of S.

“This set of issues is important to students because research, scholarly and artistic work form the foundation of curricula,” McMullen said. “What we teach students is based, in part, on what researchers, humanists, artists and their community partners produce. Students also need to be able to carry out research, scholarly and artistic work that is not dictated by government agenda and to be confident that such work will be freely disseminated.”

Moreover, McMullen acknowledges that these governmental practices are a departure from the academia she is accustomed to and could limit future opportunities for collaboration with students.

“I’ve been a professor for over 35 years, and my research … has largely been curiosity-driven and single-authored or co-authored with my students. This history stands in sharp contrast to the current push for large-scale, industry-sponsored, team-based research,” she said.

Although the program addresses political effects on research, it does not endorse any particular candidate or political agenda. Rather, it seeks to engage people on all sides of the debate.

“These issues are of significant concern to faculty members. Our audience for the events included candidates currently seeking election in the three Saskatoon federal ridings. We had interest from all four main political parties — the Liberals, the NDP, the Green Party and the Conservatives,” McMullen said.

According to McMullen, the current political climate in Canada regarding academic research involves larger implications that students and faculty alike should be aware of.

“The government sets research policy that suits its own interests and agenda, which can be a detriment to the unfettered production of knowledge and, sometimes, to the public good.”

McMullen insists that there are ways for everyone to become engaged with the Get Research Right program. She encourages students to get as involved as they can to defend their democratic right to produce and disseminate research without government interference.

“Students can work with faculty members and their community partners to demand that the quality of their education not be compromised by the dictates of a government’s agenda.”

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Image: Jeremy Britz/Graphics Editor