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India: Public Statement in Support of Gauhar Raza by Scientists & Science Communicators from across the World

15 March 2016

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MEDIA RELEASE

March 15, 2016

Statement in Support of Gauhar Raza by Scientists & Science Communicators from across the World

We, the undersigned, are shocked to learn about the sinister propaganda unleashed by a section of the Indian Media against Gauhar Raza, a well known scientist, poet and film-maker.

We have known Gauhar Raza’s work through research papers, presentations in international conferences and books. We value the significant contribution that he has made in the areas of Public Understanding of Science and Science Communication, and are deeply disturbed that Gauhar Raza is being targeted for expressing his views freely.

It has been observed that there is an upsurge of anti-science forces in many countries. In the recent past, the Indian sub-continent has witnessed physical attacks on science communicators. We unequivocally oppose the shrill voices of intolerance and urge the governments to take the necessary steps to create an atmosphere for free speech and exchange of ideas.

We strongly condemn this attempt to stifle the voice of Gauhar Raza and register our concern about his personal security and the safety of his family members.

ENDORSED BY:

  1. Adam Barclay, Senior Science Communication Professional, Australia
  2. Angus Campbell, Senior Lecturer, Department of Industrial Design, FADA, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
  3. Arlene Grossberg, Senior researcher (RIA), HSRC South Africa
  4. Audrey Laurain, En recherche d’emploi dans le développement culturel-chargée de projets, Nancy, Lorraine, France
  5. Audrey Risser, Community Manager, Paris, France
  6. Bernard Schiele, Professor Faculty of Communication, University of Quebec at Montreal, Canada
  7. Bia Vianna Mooney Bia Vianna, PhD candidate in science communication, George Mason West Virginia University, United States
  8. Chris Bradnum, Head of Department, Department of Industrial Design, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
  9. Claudie Haignere, Doctor, Politicians and former Astronaut, France
  10. David Maimela, Researcher – MISTRA, South Africa
  11. Dr Carmelo Polino, Centro Redes (Center of Studies for Science, Development and Higher Education), Argentina and Ibero-American States Organization (OEI), Argentina
  12. Dr Donghong CHENG, Vice president of China Association for Science and Technology(CAST), China
  13. Dr Fabienne Crettaz von Roten, Maître d’enseignement et de recherché, Directrice de l’Observatoire Science, Politique, Société (OSPS), Faculté des sciences sociales et politiques , Université de Lausanne (UNIL), Switzerland
  14. Dr Hester du Plessis, Mapungubwe Institute of Strategic Reflection, MISTRA, South Africa
  15. Dr Luis Xuan, Researcher, CRISP, China
  16. Dr Marina Joubert, Science Communication Researcher, CREST, South Africa
  17. Dr Petra Pansegrau, Fakultät für Linguistik und Literaturwissenschaft, Masterstudiengang "Interdisziplinäre Medienwissenschaft", Universitätsstr. 25,33615 Bielefeld, Germany
  18. Dr YIN LIN, Associate Researcher Fellow in CRISP. China
  19. Enrico M. Balli, CEO, Sissa Medialab, Trieste, Italy
  20. Erika Amethyst Szymanski, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
  21. Fred Balvert , Editor-in-chief, Science Communicator, Erasmus MC, The Netherlands
  22. Ildeu Moreira Ildeu de Castro Moreira. Institute of Physics Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Vice-President of the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science (SBPC), Brazil
  23. Jeffrey Sehume, Senior Researcher, MISTRA, South Africa
  24. Jenni Metcalfe, Director Econnect Communication – ‘Bringing Science to Life’, Brisbane, Australia
  25. Joëlle Le Marec, professeur àl’Université Paris 4 Sorbonne Paris, France
  26. Julie Adam, Project Manager for Science & You, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
  27. Kaťulka Šikulka Katerina Pickova, Chargée de Projet Science &You, University of Lorraine, France
  28. Lauren Chambliss, Communication Director, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY USA
  29. Lin YIN, Associate Research Fellow China Research Institute for Science Popularization (CRISP), China
  30. Liu Xuan Xuan LIU Associate Researcher Fellow China Institute for Science Popularization, China
  31. LuoHui , President, National Academy of Innovation Strategy,, CAST, P.R., China
  32. Maja Horst Professor, Head of Department Maja Horst, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
  33. Mark-Susi Varvayanis , Senior Director, Cornell University, USA
  34. Michel CLAESSENS, Communications, ITER Fusion for Energy, Route de Vinon-sur-Verdon, France
  35. Nancy Longnecker Professor of Science Communication, University of Otago, New Zealand
  36. Nicolas Beck, àl’Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
  37. Niels Mejlgaard Centre Director, Niels Mejlgaard, Aarhus University, Denmark
  38. Noor Asmaliza (Liza), Doctoral Candidate, School of Environment, Human Sciences Building, University of Auckland, New Zealand
  39. Osamu Sakura, Professor of STS, The University of Tokyo, Japan
  40. Patrick Baranger, Professeur honoraire àl’Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
  41. Paul Brown - artist and writer specialising in art, science and technology, London
  42. Prof Ahmet Suerdem, Istanbul Bilgi University, Turkey & Senior Academic Visitor, London School of Economics, London, UK
  43. Prof Andrea Lorenzet, Padova Science Technology and Innovation Studies, Padova, Italy
  44. Prof Brian Trench, President, Public Communication of Science and Technology, PCST Network, Dublin, Ireland
  45. Prof Bruce Lewenstein, Professor of Science Communication, Chair, Department of Science & Technology Studies, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853 USA
  46. Prof Federico Neresini, Dipartimento di Filosofia, Sociologia, Pedagogia e Psicologia Applicata (FISPPA) , Sezione di Sociologia, PADOVA, Italy
  47. Prof Geri Popova, Goldsmiths, University of London, New Cross, London, UK
  48. Prof Hak-Soo Kim, Affiliation: Sogang University School of Communication, Seoul, Korea.
  49. Prof Johann Mouton, Director of the Centre for Research and Evaluation, Science and Technology at Stellenbosch University, South Africa
  50. Prof Kristina Petkova, Associate Professor at the Institute of Sociology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
  51. Prof Martin Bauer, Editor Public Understanding of Science, Director MSc Social and Public Communication, London School of Economics (LSE), Department of Social Psychology & Department of Methodology, Houghton Street; London , UK
  52. Prof Michael Gastrow, Education and Skills Development research programme, HSRC, South Africa
  53. Prof Miguel à ngel Quintanilla, Profesor universitario y político español, Filosofía de la Ciencia en la Universidad de Salamanca (España), SPAIN
  54. Prof Peter Weingrat, Professor Emeritus, Director, Centre of Inter-Disciplinary Research, Dielefeld, Germany
  55. Prof Ren Fujun, Chinese Academy of Science and Technology, China
  56. Prof Roberta D’Alessandro, Italiaans| Universiteit Leiden, Netherlands
  57. Prof Steve Miller, Professor of Science Communication / Planetary Science, Department of Science and Technology Studies / Physics and Astronomy, University College London, Gower Street, London , UK
  58. Prof Tamar Groves, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
  59. Prof Yuri Castelfranchi, The Federal University of Minas Gerais, Departamento de Sociologia e Antropologia Department, Brazil
  60. Saahier Parker, Chief Researcher: R&D Survey, Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII), Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), South Africa
  61. Sinikiwe Simakani-Masters Student, Stellenbosch University South Africa
  62. Steve Fuller, Auguste Comte Chair in Social Epistemology, Department of Sociology , University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
  63. Tanya Abrahamse, CEO, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town, South Africa
  64. Temba Masilela, ED, Research use and Impact assessment unit (RIA), HSRC, South Africa
  65. Teresa Girão, Science Museum, University of Coimbra, Portugal
  66. Thomas Auf der Heyde, Pretoria,South Africa
  67. Vickie Curtis Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow, UK
  68. Vijaya Kumar (Prof), President, National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka
  69. Xuan LIU, Associate Research Fellow China Research Institute for Science Popularization (CRISP), China
  70. Zhang Zhimin, China Research Institute for Science Popularization (CRISP), China

Who is Gauhar Raza?

An electrical engineer (M Tech IIT, Delhi) by qualification, a scientist by designation, a communicator, a poet and filmmaker

Professor, AcSIR (Academy of Scientific and Industrial Research)

Chief Scientist and Head, Department of Science Communication through Multi-Media (SCM) National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR), CSIR, INDIA

International Fellow, Mapungubwe Institute of Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), South Africa

Member, Science Communication Committee, JHC, University of Lorraine, France

Member of International forum, Public Communication of Science and Technology

Have served as Member of many national and international committees

Member Advisory Committee, MACAS, LSE, UK

Editor, Journal of Scientific Temper, NISCAIR

A Few Notable honours

Keynote Speaker, International Conference, MACAS, at Stellenbosch University, 2015

Keynote Speaker at the Inaugural session of International Conference on Science Communication, University of Lorraine, France, 2012.

Guest of Honour, Poet at Parque Explora, 14th to 18th September 2012, Medellin, Columbia

Invited Lecture at Royal Society, London, 2009

Represented the country as a poet when India was Guest of Honour at Book Festival, Leipzig, 2006

Member, Editorial board, Public Understanding of Science, London

Former Member, Editorial board, JCOM (Journal of Science Communication), Italy

Directed and Produced 31 documentaries, Anchored 100 episodes of Eureka, A serial on life and work of Indian Scientists on Rajya Sabha TV