The call

We don’t want to wait.

We don’t want to wait and see. Not waiting for “something”, for more to happen.

The current government negotiations in Austria are about whether a far-right party, the FPÖ, will take on government responsibility and provide the Federal Chancellor.

We know what this party’s plans are. We know that with an FPÖ in government, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of minorities, media freedom, an independent judiciary and academic freedom are called into question.

The FPÖ makes it very clear what kind of research it envisions. The election manifesto already makes it clear which content is desirable and which is undesirable. What the FPÖ brands as “ideologized” science should no longer exist. The first signs are already noticeable. The attacks on gender studies and migration and racism research are part of a broad attack on the freedom of research and teaching on socio-political problems. Such research is denigrated as pseudoscience. But even scientific research only counts for the FPÖ if it is dedicated to desired topics and delivers appropriate results. The findings of climate research are denied. Experimental research, for example on the development of vaccines, is categorically rejected. Skepticism and even hostility towards science are being nurtured.

The attacks on science are part of the FPÖ’s overall project to destroy basic democratic principles, which include the plurality of teaching and research and well-informed, knowledge-based decisions.

We know what the agenda of right-wing extremist and fascist political forces is. We know how Viktor Orbán has proceeded in Hungary and see the result: the restriction of freedom and self-determination rights, a media landscape that has been brought into line, racist policies that violate human rights, the exclusion of and violence against minorities, manipulation and corruption.

Should we wait for that?

It is the task of research and teaching to “contribute to overcoming social challenges in a changing, humane and gender-equitable society”, according to Section 1 of the Universities Act. That is our declared aim. As independent scientists, we contribute to solving the great challenges of our time, understanding the diverse phenomena of this world and improving people’s living conditions.

Science thrives on critical debate and a diversity of voices in research and teaching. If restrictions are imposed here, the production and communication of scientific knowledge and democratic exchange as a whole will be restricted, hindered and censored.

We, scientists at Austrian universities, colleges and other research institutions, demand a clear and unequivocal YES TO DEMOCRACY, YES TO OPEN SOCIETY and to the freedom of research and its teaching. We therefore oppose the FPÖ’s participation in government and call on all democratic parties to work together constructively.