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March 15, 2016

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

#StandWithGauharRaza

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
  1. Dr Donghong CHENG, Vice president of China Association for Science and Technology(CAST), China
  2. 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
  3. Dr Hester du Plessis, Mapungubwe Institute of Strategic Reflection, MISTRA, South Africa
  4. 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
  1. Dr YIN LIN, Associate Researcher Fellow in CRISP. China
  2. Enrico M. Balli, CEO,  Sissa Medialab, Trieste, Italy
  3. Erika Amethyst Szymanski, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
  4. Fred Balvert , Editor-in-chief, Science Communicator, Erasmus MC, The Netherlands
  5. 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
  6. Jeffrey Sehume, Senior Researcher, MISTRA, South Africa
  7. Jenni Metcalfe, Director Econnect Communication – ‘Bringing Science to Life’, Brisbane, Australia
  8. Joëlle Le Marec, professeur à l'Université Paris 4 Sorbonne Paris, France
  9. Julie Adam, Project Manager for Science & You, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
  10. Kaťulka Šikulka Katerina Pickova, Chargée de Projet Science &You, University of Lorraine, France
  11. Lauren Chambliss, Communication Director, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY USA
  12. Lin YIN, Associate Research Fellow China Research Institute for Science Popularization (CRISP), China
  13. Liu Xuan Xuan LIU Associate Researcher Fellow China Institute for Science Popularization, China
  14. LuoHui , President, National Academy of Innovation Strategy,, CAST, P.R., China
  15. Maja Horst Professor, Head of Department Maja Horst, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
  16. Mark-Susi Varvayanis , Senior Director, Cornell University, USA
  17. Michel CLAESSENS, Communications, ITER Fusion for Energy, Route de Vinon-sur-Verdon, France
  18. Nancy Longnecker Professor of Science Communication, University of Otago, New Zealand
  19. Nicolas Beck, à l'Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
  20. Niels Mejlgaard Centre Director, Niels Mejlgaard, Aarhus University, Denmark
  21. Noor Asmaliza (Liza), Doctoral Candidate, School of Environment, Human Sciences Building, University of Auckland, New Zealand
  22. Osamu Sakura, Professor of STS, The University of Tokyo, Japan
  23. Patrick Baranger, Professeur honoraire à l'Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
  24. Paul Brown - artist and writer specialising in art, science and technology, London
  25. 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
  1. 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
  1. Prof Miguel Ángel 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
  1. Prof Roberta D’Alessandro, Italiaans| Universiteit Leiden, Netherlands
  2. 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
  1. Saahier Parker, Chief Researcher: R&D Survey, Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII), Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), South Africa
  2. Sinikiwe Simakani-Masters Student, Stellenbosch University South Africa
  3. Steve Fuller, Auguste Comte Chair in Social Epistemology, Department of Sociology , University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom 
  4. Tanya Abrahamse, CEO, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town, South Africa
  5. Temba Masilela, ED, Research use and Impact assessment unit (RIA),  HSRC, South Africa
  6. Teresa Girão, Science Museum, University of Coimbra, Portugal
  7. Thomas Auf der Heyde, Pretoria,South Africa
  8. Vickie Curtis Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow, UK
68.  Vijaya Kumar (Prof), President, National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka
  1. Xuan LIU, Associate Research Fellow China Research Institute for Science Popularization (CRISP), China
  2. 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
Posted by c-info at Tuesday, March 15, 2016


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