The Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (AWTI) issued a report at the end of October. To mitigate substantial funding cuts to scientific research, the council recommended that academics might take on more defence-related projects.
EM ran a small poll on Instagram among its followers. Most respondents didn’t see the point of working with defence; only a quarter were in favour. Followers suggested a few areas of defence research they might support, such as sustainable innovation and mental health. When asked if academics could make a positive contribution to the Dutch military, 38 per cent chose ‘security for all of us’, while over 40 per cent were wholly opposed.
Western values
EM also asked students and staff for their opinions on the website. One student, who also works as a corporal, thought it would be ‘fantastic’ if academics could use their expertise to support the military. “Peace is not guaranteed in today’s tense global politics. Academics could carry out meaningful defence research with a positive impact.”
Another student agreed: “It’s remarkable how strongly academics oppose defence. Step out of your ivory towers, work with defence, and make an impact that ensures Western values, which are so essential to your work, remain protected.”
How hypocritical
Not everyone, however, shared this enthusiasm. “The EUR is assessing partner institutions to see if they work with the military. And then they’d collaborate themselves – how hypocritical!” one staff member wrote. Another staff member, Irena, went even further: “Peace can only be achieved by banning the arms industry worldwide. Collaboration is not an option!” One student concurred, saying, “Instead of taking more blood money, let’s focus on increased investment in education and less privatisation.”
Another staff member described working with defence as ‘the moral bankruptcy of science‘, with one simply adding, “No fucking way!”
PhD candidate Marlon Kruizinga called it a ‘terrible idea’. “The suggestion from the AWTI advisory council isn’t even in good faith. The council includes people like the CEO of arms manufacturer Thales, who profit from war. Moreover, defence research doesn’t necessarily contribute to Dutch security – it contributes to death and destruction worldwide.”
Associate professor Jeff Handmaker highlighted that previous partnerships between academic institutions and the ‘barely regulated arms industry’ have led to serious human rights abuses, ‘including war crimes‘. He cited Maya Wind’s research on ties between Israeli universities and the Israeli military as an example. “It shows how the arms industry tests new weapons and technologies developed in collaboration with universities on Palestinians.”
Staff member Alessia said that, as a transgender woman, she would never want to work with defence or the arms industry, as it would feel like a betrayal of herself. “The military-industrial complex arms those in power in countries where LGBTQ+ rights are not only ignored but actively suppressed. Contributing to a system that continually harms my community feels like a denial of my identity and values.”
Reactions to Let’s Talk! can be submitted anonymously, with full names, or with first names only. In this article, we have published the names as they were provided in the responses.
