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Flinders University staff and students keep fighting Bjørn Lomborg centre Flinders University staff and students keep fighting Bjørn Lomborg centre
(35 minutes later)
Climate activists and academics are scaling up their opposition to Flinders University hosting a Bjørn Lomborg-run research centre in an attempt to shut down the last avenue apparently open to the project.Climate activists and academics are scaling up their opposition to Flinders University hosting a Bjørn Lomborg-run research centre in an attempt to shut down the last avenue apparently open to the project.
It is understood that the heads of three of the four Flinders faculties that could host the “consensus centre” have rejected the idea, leaving just one, the school of social and behavioural sciences, available.It is understood that the heads of three of the four Flinders faculties that could host the “consensus centre” have rejected the idea, leaving just one, the school of social and behavioural sciences, available.
Related: Bjørn Lomborg consensus centre was to have up to $800,000 in public funds for marketingRelated: Bjørn Lomborg consensus centre was to have up to $800,000 in public funds for marketing
Students, academics and the Australian youth climate coalition have lobbied Prof Phyllis Tharenou, dean of the school, to rule out the centre as well, believing this will effectively kill off the university’s plan to host it. Students, academics and the Australian youth climate coalition have lobbied Prof Phyllis Tharenou, executive dean of the faculty, to rule out the centre as well, believing this will effectively kill off the university’s plan to host it.
The issue is set to come to a head at a university council meeting on 1 October.The issue is set to come to a head at a university council meeting on 1 October.
The Coalition has attempted to give $4m to a university to run Lomborg’s centre, which would focus on international development. The University of Western Australia was set to host it but returned the $4m after a revolt by its academics who claimed the process was politically motivated and attacked Lomborg’s lack of scholarly standing.The Coalition has attempted to give $4m to a university to run Lomborg’s centre, which would focus on international development. The University of Western Australia was set to host it but returned the $4m after a revolt by its academics who claimed the process was politically motivated and attacked Lomborg’s lack of scholarly standing.
The education minister, Christopher Pyne, said UWA academics had shouted down Lomborg, and the Danish academic complained the issue had become a political football.The education minister, Christopher Pyne, said UWA academics had shouted down Lomborg, and the Danish academic complained the issue had become a political football.
Lomborg has become a high-profile figure due to his downplaying of climate change, although he tends to frame himself as an expert in international development.Lomborg has become a high-profile figure due to his downplaying of climate change, although he tends to frame himself as an expert in international development.
Although the bulk of Flinders academics are understood to be opposed to accepting Lomborg’s centre, the university’s vice-chancellor, Colin Stirling, has pressed ahead with exploring the idea.Although the bulk of Flinders academics are understood to be opposed to accepting Lomborg’s centre, the university’s vice-chancellor, Colin Stirling, has pressed ahead with exploring the idea.
“This has dragged on too long – people are pissed off and there is low morale,” a Flinders academic told Guardian Australia. “There is a real possibility that high quality researchers will leave over this.“This has dragged on too long – people are pissed off and there is low morale,” a Flinders academic told Guardian Australia. “There is a real possibility that high quality researchers will leave over this.
“The university has defended this as a matter of academic freedom but we are dismayed by that. If you want to collaborate on a book with Lomborg that would be unwise but no one would stand in your way. But this isn’t a grant for an individual. It’s a proposal for a centre based here which means the university’s reputation is at stake.”“The university has defended this as a matter of academic freedom but we are dismayed by that. If you want to collaborate on a book with Lomborg that would be unwise but no one would stand in your way. But this isn’t a grant for an individual. It’s a proposal for a centre based here which means the university’s reputation is at stake.”
Student representatives from Flinders are attempting to raise the issue with Malcolm Turnbull in the hope the new prime minister will reverse the decision of Tony Abbott’s government to provide federal funding.Student representatives from Flinders are attempting to raise the issue with Malcolm Turnbull in the hope the new prime minister will reverse the decision of Tony Abbott’s government to provide federal funding.
An open letter to Stirling signed by 6662 students, teachers and alumni said: “Bjorn Lomborg’s views on climate change, fossil fuels and economics are outdated and have been repeatedly discredited.An open letter to Stirling signed by 6662 students, teachers and alumni said: “Bjorn Lomborg’s views on climate change, fossil fuels and economics are outdated and have been repeatedly discredited.
“We will not stand by while ideologically motivated fossil-fuel industry mouthpieces are invited on to university campuses for political gain.”“We will not stand by while ideologically motivated fossil-fuel industry mouthpieces are invited on to university campuses for political gain.”
Kelly Mackenzie, a Flinders alumna who works at the Australian youth climate coalition, said students were broadly against Lomborg’s centre being established.Kelly Mackenzie, a Flinders alumna who works at the Australian youth climate coalition, said students were broadly against Lomborg’s centre being established.
“They just don’t want his ideas damaging the university’s reputation,” she said. “It seems there are a few key people aligned with Lomborg’s ideology who think any media is good media, even if it looks bad for Flinders.”“They just don’t want his ideas damaging the university’s reputation,” she said. “It seems there are a few key people aligned with Lomborg’s ideology who think any media is good media, even if it looks bad for Flinders.”
The university and Tharenou were contacted for comment.The university and Tharenou were contacted for comment.