St. Gallen Symposium Leader of Tomorrow Essay Competition 2018 (CHF 20,000+Funded to Switzerland)

Application Deadline: 1st February, 2018

Offered annually? Yes

Essay: Your essay must answer the following question:

Robots are coming for your job. How do you augment yourself to stay economically relevant?

Author Yuval Noah Harari claims that the rapid progress of artificial intelligence technology will render the human species economically useless within decades. Imagine a world in which humans fight back, harnessing AI and other technologies to stay economically indispensable – and, ultimately, competitive against the computers. Describe the job you aspire to in the future, how it will potentially be influenced by AI, and how you would augment yourself technologically if necessary to prevail in your chosen career.

• Form: Essay (max. 2,100 words)
• Language: English
• Anonymity: Your name must not be mentioned anywhere in the contribution file
• Individuality: Individual work expected, no group work allowed. The essay must be written exclusively for this contest
• Citation: All sources must be cited and referred to the respective part in the essay. All contributions will be tested for plagiarism.

Eligible Countries: All

To be taken at (country): St. Gallen, Switzerland.

About the Award: Join the debate with 600 top global leaders and decision makers. Become a member of a truly unique and strong global community by sharing your thoughts, ideas and visions with the global elite. The St. Gallen Symposium presents small and intimate gatherings with world leaders, exclusively for the Leaders of Tomorrow. Young leaders from around the world get the chance to meet 200 of the world’s brightest young minds and participate in an exciting essay competition with broad media coverage. CHF 20,000 prize money will be shared by the three winners and expenses for travel, board and lodging covered, travel service to be provided for finalists.

Type: Essay Contest

Eligibility: To be eligible, candidate must fulfil all of the following criteria:

• Enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate program (master level or higher) in any field of study at a regular university
• Born in 1988 or later

Selection Criteria: All contributions will be evaluated according to specific criteria by an independent jury composed of professors, corporate executives and entrepreneurs. The authors of the best 100 contributions qualify as Leaders of Tomorrow and will be invited by the ISC to the next St. Gallen Symposium.

Selection Process: 

• If the jury selects your essay in the top 100, you qualify as a Leader of Tomorrow for an allexpenses-covered participation in the 47th St. Gallen Symposium (3–5 May 2017). The results will be announced via e-mail by mid-March 2017.
• You qualify as a semi-finalist to compete for the prestigious St. Gallen Wings of Excellence Award 2017 if the jury selects your essay for the top 20. You will be asked mid-March to pitch the essence of your essay in a 3-minute video presentation.
• The jury selects you as a finalist if your essay and your video presentation makes it in the top six. You will be invited to present and defend your idea on the big stage of the 47th St. Gallen Symposium.
• The jury selects the three award winners based on both the quality of the essay and the performance on stage.

Number of Awardees: 3

Value of Award: Expenses for travel, board and lodging covered, travel service provided. The award is endowed with a total prize money of CHF 20,000

Duration of Program: 2nd–4th May 2018

How to Apply: Apply here

Before applying, go through the application requirements. Also make sure you can provide the following documents:

• Copy of passport or other identification (in English for non-Roman languages)
• Confirmation of matriculation/enrolment from your university which proves your enrollment in a graduate/postgraduate level programme as of 1 February 2018 (download sample document here)
• Your contribution file with no indication of your name in the file name, the file metadata or the file itself

Visit Award Webpage for details

Award Providers: 35 students from the University of St. Gallen, working on an honorary basis and supported by over 350 partners.

NITDA Scholarships in Information Technology for Nigerian Students (Masters and PhD) 2017/2018

Application Deadline: 14th November, 2017

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: Nigeria

To be taken: Overseas

Eligible Subject Areas: Information Technology (IT), Law

About the Award: The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), with its mandate of transforming Nigeria into an IT driven economy for global competitiveness and the dire need to bridge the digital divide, has since 2010 established a Scholarship Scheme for Masters (MSc) and Doctorate (PhD) Degrees in relevant areas of Information Technology (IT) obtainable in Nigeria or Foreign / Overseas Universities.

2017/2018 NITDA scholarship for Nigerians is now open for applications from suitably qualified candidates.

Type: Masters, PhD

Selection Criteria: The scholarships will be strictly based on merit and cover the six Geo-political Zones of the country. The Agency will collaborate with the various institutions of higher learning within and outside the country to ensure that the scheme is successfully executed.

Eligibility

• PhD: Only University and Polytechnic Lecturers with MSc in any Information Technology related field are eligible to apply for sponsorship.
• MSc: Holders of First Class or Second Class (Upper) Honours Bachelor’s degree, in Information Technology related field and Law.

Number of Awards: Several

Duration: The Masters program will run for one year while the Doctorate programme is expected to run for three years.

How to Apply?

• Application is based online through the registration form on the NITDA website
• Scan and attach your passport photograph (must be in jpg format) which should not be larger than 50kb.
• You should can and convert your certificate to a PDF file which should not be larger than 100kb.

If you still have any questions or experience any difficulties with the application system, please email: scholarship@nitda.gov.ng

Visit the Scholarship Webpage for application details

Sponsors: The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

University of Pennsylvania Postdoctoral PriceLab Fellowships for International Students 2018/2019

Application Deadline: 30th October, 2017

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: All

To be taken at (country): University of Pennsylvania, USA

About the Award: The Mellon Fellow will be affiliated with both the School of Arts and Sciences and the Penn Libraries, and will participate in the biweekly Price Lab Mellon Seminar. The fellow will pursue their own research project, presenting this work at the seminar, while also contributing to team-based projects at the Lab, and teaching one DH course during the year in the undergraduate College. (While the application requires a brief course description, actual specifications of the class will be worked out next spring with the Price Lab’s Managing Director.)

Eligible Fields: The PhD is the only eligible terminal degree. MFAs and other doctorates such as EdD are ineligible. In addition to scholars from the core humanities disciplines, those in related fields such as anthropology and the history of science are eligible to apply. Additional educational background in programming, library sciences, computer graphics, computational linguistics, or other fields relevant to digital humanities research is desirable but not required.

Type: Postdoctoral Fellowships

Eligibility: 

• Awards are available to untenured scholars in the humanities whose PhD must have been received between December 2009 and December 2017.
• Applicants from outside the US must be eligible for appointment under a J-1 visa (Research Scholar status); no exceptions will be made, and the Price Lab reserves the right to revoke a fellowship if the recipient is unable to meet this condition.

Number of Awardees: Not specified

Value of Fellowship: The Mellon DH Postdoctoral Fellowships carries an annual stipend of $58,350 plus single-coverage health insurance (fellows are responsible for coverage of any dependents).

Duration of Fellowship: The DH Fellow is required to spend the ten-month academic year (August 2018 – May 2019) in residence at Penn. Fellows have the option to renew the fellowship for a second year if they wish to stay but are not required to do so.

How to Apply

Visit Fellowship Webpage for details

Award Provider: University of Pennsylvania

University of Wollongong in Dubai Scholarships for Nigerian Students 2018/2019

Application Deadline: 21st January 2018

Eligible Countries: Nigeria

To be taken at (country): United Arab Emirates

Eligible Field of Study: All

Type: Undergraduate

Eligibility: Students from Nigeria will have to maintain a minimum of 5As or 4As to be awarded the University of Wollongong in Dubai Scholarships.

In order to retain this Scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:

• Enrol in a minimum of 3 subjects (mandatory) in Autumn and Spring
• Maintain a WAM of  ≥75 at the end of each semester
• Receive no “Fail” (F or TF) grades

University of Wollongong in Dubai Scholarships holders failing to meet the above requirements will no longer be entitled to retain their scholarship and will therefore have to pay the relevant tuition fees in order to continue their studies.

Number of Awardees: Not specified

Value of Scholarship: 

• 25% tuition waiver for 5As qualification
• 15% tuition waiver for 4As qualification

How to Apply: If you would like to apply for any of the UOWD Scholarships, you should submit an Application for Scholarship form, along with supporting documentation relevant to your chosen Scholarship (academic transcripts, completion certificate(s), awards, referee reports, alumni ID, as appropriate) to the Registrar’s Department. Applications must be received by the closing date (as listed below) and submitted via the Scholarship Form.

Visit Scholarship Webpage for details

Award Provider: University of Wollongong

Yale Greenberg World Fellows Programme for Emerging Mid-Career Leaders 2018

Application Deadline: 6th December, 2017

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: International (Any country other than the United States)

To be taken at (country): Yale University, USA

About the Award: Applications to the Maurice R. Greenberg World Fellows Program are accepted from across sectors and around the world.  Each class of Fellows is a unique group: geographically balanced, and representative of a wide range of professions, talents, and perspectives.  The program runs annually from mid-August to mid-December.  Fellows are expected to be in residence at Yale for the duration of the program.

Type: Fellowship

Eligibility: 

• Be in the Mid-career stage: Fellows are at least five, and typically not more than 20, years into their careers, with demonstrated work accomplishments, and a clear indication of future contributions and excellence.  The average age of a Greenberg World Fellow is 39, though there is no minimum or maximum age limit.
• Be fluent in English: An excellent command of the English language is essential.
• Be a citizen of a country other than the United States: While dual citizens are eligible, preference is given to candidates whose work is focused outside the US.

Selection Criteria: 

• An established record of extraordinary achievement and integrity;
• Commitment to engagement in crucial issues and to making a difference at the national or international level;
• Promise of a future career of leadership and notable impact;
• Special capacity for critical, creative, entrepreneurial, and strategic thinking;
• Likelihood to benefit from participation in the Program and to contribute to global understanding at Yale;
• Commitment to a rigorous program of activities, to full-time residence at Yale for the entire duration of the program, and to mentoring students and speaking frequently on campus

Number of Awardees: Not specified

Value of Fellowship: 

• A taxable stipend to cover the costs of living in New Haven
• A modest, furnished one- or two-bedroom apartment for the duration of the program
• Medical insurance
• Round-trip travel from home country

Duration of Fellowship: mid-August to mid-December.

How to Apply: 

• Please note that application for admission to the Yale Greenberg World Fellows Programme is completely an online process. There are no paper forms to complete or mail.
• Prior to the deadline, you may work on your application at any time and submit it when you are ready. After creating an account and accessing the online application, you can upload materials and request your letters of recommendation.
• Most questions about the program and the application process can be answered by reviewing this website and the common questions.  If your question is unanswered, you may contact staff at applicant.worldfellows@yale.edu. Please do not send multiple emails regarding one issue, and please do not email staff individually. We thank you for your patience in allowing staff adequate time to thoughtfully process your inquiries.

Apply now for the 2018 Yale Greenberg World Fellows Program

Visit Fellowship Webpage for details

Award Provider: Maurice R. Greenberg World Fellows Programm

Yale University Beinecke Library Visiting Graduate Student Fellowships 2018

Application Deadline: 1st November 2017

Offered annually? Yes (Not awarded in the 2015/2016 academic session due  to renovations)

Eligible Countries: International

To be taken at (country): USA

About the Award: Graduate students (doctoral candidates) currently enrolled in PhD or DPhil programs from across the country and around the world are invited to apply for Beinecke Visiting Graduate Student Summer Fellowships. These fellowships support graduate students who wish to use Beinecke collections as a primary resource for their dissertation research.

Type: PhD

Fellowship Requirements: Recipients are expected to be in residence during the period of their award and are encouraged to participate in the activities of Yale University.  Please note that attendance will be monitored and stipends will be adjusted to reflect shortened research period.  Split fellowship periods will not be granted.  Awarded fellows may not hold concurrent teaching positions or any concurrent fellowships.

At the end of the research period, fellows are also asked to provide a brief statement indicating how this fellowship support was used to accomplish research goals.

Selection Criteria:

• Graduate students seeking these fellowships must be currently enrolled in a PhD/doctoral program and must have completed their course work, passed their qualifying examinations, and be prepared to pursue research based upon an approved dissertation prospectus/proposal.
• Successful applicants normally explain in extensive and specific detail the relationship of the Beinecke collections to their project. Most of the holdings of the Beinecke Library in printed materials are described in Orbis, the online catalogue of Yale University Library. Early manuscripts and modern archives are described in detailed finding aids available via the internet. Books and manuscripts at Yale have been extensively described since 1926 in the Yale University Library Gazette, which is available in many libraries.

Number of Awardees: Not stated

Value of Fellowship: The fellowships pay for travel costs to and from New Haven and a living allowance of $3,000 per month.

Duration of Fellowship: June 1 – August 31, 2018

How to Apply: Applicants are required to submit the following materials:

• an online application form
• a curriculum vitae
• a proposal (1200 word maximum) explaining in detail the specific relationship between the Beinecke Collections and the applicant’s research
• a detailed list of specific research materials to be consulted at Beinecke during your fellowship
• two confidential letters of recommendation sent to the Fellowship Coordinator, one of which must come from the principal director of the applicant’s dissertation
• an approved dissertation prospectus/proposal

The Beinecke Library will not accept re-submissions of materials.  Once an application or letter of reference has been submitted, the Beinecke will not accept a revision.

Awards will be announced approximately eight weeks following application deadlines.

Visit Fellowship Webpage for details

Award Provider: Yale University Beinecke Library

Important Notes: Please note that the online application form cannot be revised once it is submitted.  It cannot be submitted partially, the application and the attachment must be submitted together if you choose to submit your application materials with the web application form.

Women Techmakers Scholarship Program for Women in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) 2018/2019

Application Deadline: 1st December 2017

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: Women from Europe, the Middle East and Africa

To be taken at: Universities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Eligible Subject Areas: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Informatics or a closely related technical field

About the Award: Dr. Anita Borg devoted her adult life to revolutionising the way we think about technology and dismantling barriers that keep women and minorities from entering computing and technology fields. She proposed the “50/50 by 2020” initiative, so that women earning computing degrees would be 50% of the graduates by year 2020. However, the percentage of Computer Science degrees earned by women is still far from 50% throughout the world.

As part of Google’s ongoing commitment to furthering Anita’s vision, Google is proud to honor Anita’s memory and support women in technology with the Women Techmakers Scholars Program (formerly the Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship).

Through the scholarship, Google aim to encourage women to excel in computing and technology, and become active role models and leaders.

Type: Bachelors, Masters, PhD

Selection Criteria: Multiple scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of candidates’ academic performance, leadership experience and demonstrated passion for computer science.

Who is qualified to apply? To be eligible to apply, applicants must:

• Identify as female
• currently be enrolled at a university for the 2017/2018 academic year
• Intend to be enrolled in or accepted as a full-time student in a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD program at a university in Europe, the Middle East or Africa for the 2017-2018 academic year
• Be studying Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Informatics or a closely related technical field
• Demonstrate and Maintain a strong academic record
• Exemplify leadership and demonstrate passion for increasing the involvement of women in Computer Science

Number of Scholarships:  Not specified

Value of Scholarship:

• The scholarship recipients will each receive a €7,000 (or equivalent) scholarship.
• A retreat opportunity to connect with fellow scholars and Google mentors, while participating in professional and personal development trainings and workshops.
• An online network with fellow scholars program participants designed to share resources, support the global community of women in tech and collaborate on projects to make continued impact.

How to Apply: The Women Techmakers Scholarship is a one-time scholarship. While past applicants and finalists are encouraged to reapply, unfortunately, past recipients of any Google scholarship, including the Women Techmakers Scholarship and Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship, are not eligible to apply.

Complete the online application and submit all requested documents by 1st December 2017. The following application documents must be in English.

• General background information (includes contact information and information about your current and intended institutions)
• Current resume
• Academic transcripts from your current and prior institutions (if you have earned a prior degree)
• One letter of reference from a professor, instructor, adviser or supervisor
• Responses to four essay questions

Visit Scholarship Webpage for Details

Sponsors: Google

University of British Columbia MasterCard Foundation Scholarship for African Students 2018/2019 – Canada

Application Deadlines: 

Undergraduate Application Deadline: 15th November, 2017

Graduate Application Deadlines:

1. Admissibility Submission: 10th November, 2017, Sauder Admissibility Submission: 1st November, 2017
2. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application 17th November, 2017
3. UBC Faculty Applications:

Forestry: 1st January, 2018 Land and Food Systems: 1st January, 2018 Education:

• Masters of Educational Administration and Leadership (M.Ed) – 1st January, 2018
• Masters of Higher Education (M.Ed) – 1st January, 2018
• Masters in Science Education (M.Ed) – 1st December, 2017

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: African countries

To be taken at (country): University of British Columbia, Canada

Eligible Fields of Study: Development related fields

About Scholarship: The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is a $500 million initiative to inspire young people — particularly from Africa — to lead change through education.

The University of British Columbia, Canada is pleased to partner with The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program to provide comprehensive scholarships to students from Sub-Saharan Africa. The Program provides access to education for academically talented, yet economically marginalized young people. More than 110 students from Africa will receive comprehensive scholarships to live and learn at the University of British Columbia thanks to a $25 million grant from The MasterCard Foundation. The first cohort of Scholars will arrive at UBC this fall. Over the next 10 years, UBC expects to welcome 77 undergraduate and 35 master’s degree students through the Program.

UBC is among the first Canadian universities to join The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program and one of 15 institutions in the world participating in the $500 million global education initiative.

Offered Since: 2013

Type: Undergraduate, Masters

Undergraduate Eligibility and Selection Criteria: To be eligible for consideration as an undergraduate for The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC, the nominee must:

• be a citizen of and residing in a Sub-Saharan African country;
• present economically disadvantaged financial circumstances, and be able to show they lack financial means from family or other sources to pursue post-secondary (university) education in their home country or elsewhere;
• have achieved academic excellence under difficult circumstances, and show leadership qualities or potential;
• demonstrate an interest in and commitment to giving back to his/her home community in ways that enhance the economic growth and social development of Africa, through engagement in activities outside the classroom, in the school and/or community;
• be graduating/recently graduated from a recognized senior secondary school;
• be applying for their first undergraduate degree in one of the following Faculties at UBC’s Vancouver campus:
  • Faculty of Arts
  • Faculty of Applied Science (Engineering)
  • Faculty of Forestry (Bachelor of Science in Forestry)
  • Faculty of Land & Food Systems (including Global Resource Systems; Food, Nutrition & Health; Applied Biology [Applied Animal Biology, Applied Plant & Soil Sciences or Food & the Environment])
  • Sauder School of Business (Bachelor of Commerce)
• be an international student who will be studying at UBC on a Canadian Study Permit;
• commit to returning to Africa immediately after graduation from UBC in order to apply their training and skills to the betterment of others.

Graduate Eligibility and Selection Criteria: 

• have completed a Bachelor’s degree;
• be a citizen of and have lived a significant part of their life in a Sub-Saharan African country;
• present economically disadvantaged financial circumstances, and be able to show lack of financial means from family or other sources to pursue graduate education in their home country or elsewhere;
• have achieved academic excellence under difficult circumstances, and show leadership qualities or potential;
• demonstrate an interest in and commitment to giving back to his/her home community in ways that enhance the economic growth and social development of Africa, through engagement in activities in their current profession, university or community;
• be applying for a Master’s degree in one of the following Faculties and programs at UBC’s Vancouver campus listed in the Graduate Scholarship Webpage (see Link below)
• be a person who requires a Canadian study permit to study in Canada;
• commit to returning to Africa immediately after graduation from UBC in order to apply their training and skills to the betterment of others.

Number of Scholarships: 110 students over the next 10 years

Value of Scholarship: Selected students will receive a scholarship equivalent to the costs related to attaining a degree, including travel, tuition, textbooks, housing, food, and living expenses. You will also receive financial, academic, social, and post-graduation support which will enable you to build experiences and competencies critical for academic success.

Duration of Scholarship: Full period of study

How to Apply:

Undergraduate Scholarship: A student must be nominated for the Undergraduate MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of British Columbia. Nominations will be accepted from secondary schools and recognized international development agencies and their affiliates, or registered local or international charitable and not-for-profit organizations. Each school or organization may nominate a maximum of three students.  Note that you will need to apply online to the University of British Columbia AND also submit the Undergraduate MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program nomination package.

Graduate Scholarship: Please find more information in the Graduate Scholarship Webpage Link below.

Nominations: When students are confirmed for nomination, their  high school or recognized non-profit organization must use the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program nomination package. Find the Nomination package in the link below.

Visit Undergraduate Scholarship Webpage for Details

Visit Graduate Scholarship Webpage for Details

Sponsors: MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme (MFSP)

The Muslim Terrorist Dialectic

Naved Bakali

One of the many paradoxes in the modern age is that there is an overabundance of knowledge and information available to the masses, yet, easy access to information has created a space for exaggerated views and uninformed opinions to proliferate. As such, we have more knowledge available to us, yet many of us remain misinformed. With a plethora of uncritical and un-nuanced information bites easily available, a Muslim terrorist dialectic has emerged, reinforcing a narrative that Muslim men are dangerous, violent, and prone to acts of terrorism. This most often occurs when radicalized Muslim individuals engage in random acts of violence, in which civilians are murdered and/or injured, as recently occurred in Edmonton, Alberta. When these acts of violence occur in North America and Europe, there’s a concerted effort in the media to portray such random ‘lone wolf’ acts of violence as being linked to some global Muslim terrorist infrastructure, and in doing so asserting that Islam is the root cause for these actions. However, deep and detailed analysis, of the possible psychological, emotional, or social states of the perpetrators to help understand these actions, beyond terrorism inspired by Islam, is completely absent.

For example, in the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, 29-year-old Omar Mateen, ruthlessly murdered 49 and injured 58 men at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Immediately, this was labeled as an act of terrorism. However, mainstream media outlets engaged in very little analysis of why Mateen committed this crime. Mateen was a closeted gay man, who according to friends and family, was ashamed and struggling with his homosexuality. The perception of Mateen being a self-hating, psychologically damaged individual was elusive in media portrayals of the story. Such a narrative, would be essential in trying probe the motivations for his actions. Similarly, in Europe hundreds of young men and women have joined terrorist organizations, and a handful have committed acts of violence and terrorism locally. These events are given widespread media attention and have become instrumental in shaping the political narratives in a number of European nations. There is no shortage of discussions describing what is happening when it comes to Muslims and terrorism, however there is a lack of explanation as to why it is happening. Muslims in a number of these countries are less educated, face higher rates of unemployment, and have been socially and economically marginalized through discrimination and identity politics. However, these issues are rarely discussed when trying to understand the motives of these criminals.

It would seem that many Muslims have also internalized the Muslim terrorist dialectic, as they are always in a rush to condemn acts of violence and terrorism committed by fringe elements of Muslim society. However, are such acts necessary? Why do Muslims feel they need to condemn the acts of radicalized extremists? Muslims who possess extremist and radical views represent a miniscule minority, as multiple studies have shown. Muslims who actually commit acts of violence represent an even smaller fraction of Muslims globally. Yet, Muslims are constantly obliged to shore up their ‘good Muslim’ credentials, by constantly condemning these acts of violence, even when there’s little to suggest they are acts of terrorism inspired by Islam. When similar acts of violence are committed by Christian fundamentalists, do Christians feel they need to condemn such actions? When radicalized Buddhist monks indiscriminately slaughter Muslim families in Myanmar, do peaceful Buddhists around the world feel they need to condemn these actions?

The Muslims terrorist dialectic, which presumes that all random acts of violence committed by Muslims are acts of terrorism inspired by Islam is fraught with logical fallacies. Muslims who commit acts of violence, like members of other faith-based communities, are complex actors, who have a multiplicity of motivations and reasons for committing such acts. Religion may play a role, however, their views cannot be conflated with those of mainstream Muslims, as their beliefs represent a radical divergence from traditional Islamic teachings and beliefs. Muslims themselves need to come to terms with this reality, and stop feeling the need to apologize for their extremist co-religionists. Christians, Buddhists, Jews, and members of other faith-based communities are unapologetic for their extremist co-religionists. It’s time for Muslims to be unapologetically Muslim.

The Corporate Assault on Science

MURRAY DOBBIN

The fact that science is the foundation for civilization and democracy should be self-evident. Regrettably that connection seems often to escape our collective consciousness. We tend to think of science narrowly as restricted to hi-tech, laboratories and the development of electric cars or travel to Mars. But everything we do collectively from Medicare to fighting climate change to designing social programs, building infrastructure and tax policy we take for granted is rooted in evidence, that is, science.

The advent of right-wing populist hostility towards evidence and now extended by so-called alternate facts, threatens to take us down the dystopian road of the irrational. The spread of this trend in the US – highlighted by the election of Trump as president and the inability of US culture to cope with gun violence – is as much a threat to the future of the human race as is climate change.

The trend started in earnest in the 1990’s and it took a long time for scientists themselves to step up and defend their ground. An unprecedented and overt attack on public science by Stephen Harper forced the traditionally a-political science community to take a public stand for evidence-based policy. In the summer of 2012 hundreds of demonstrators marched from an Ottawa science conference to Parliament Hill under the banner the ‘Death of Evidence’.   Many were working scientists wearing their lab coats. Last April there was the world-wide Global March for Science in 600 cities coinciding with Earth Day.

The fight back for science and by scientists is one of the bright spots in the resistance against the rise of irrationalism. But there is another dark corner that has not had as much light shone on it and that is the pernicious corruption of science and scientists.

A recent book gives us a major resource for understanding and exposing the sinister trade in lies and obfuscation that results in hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of deaths every year. Corporate Ties that Bind: An Examination of Corporate Manipulation and Vested Interests in Public Health is a 450 page, 24 chapter compendium by an   international group of scientists about how corporations routinely set out to undermine public interest science – and how they have found hundreds of scientists eager to do their bidding.

Those who consider themselves informed citizens know of course that science is often corrupted with the tobacco industry being the poster child for deadly science fraud. But even the most disillusioned will have their breath taken away by the accounts in this book. One of the most compelling chapters is authored by Canadian Kathleen Ruff (a friend) who led the successful fight against asbestos in Canada.

Ruff documents how the strategy of the tobacco industry was adopted by virtually every other dirty industry eager to hide their toxic products. The advice received by the industry from the infamous Hill and Knowlton was “…not to challenge scientific evidence but instead to seize and control it. …declare the value of scientific skepticism…creating an appearance of scientific controversy.” It was a brilliant strategy and is still being used today.

Perhaps the most chilling aspect of the book are the accounts of how world renowned scientists working in the public sector (and genuinely in the public interest) casually switched sides giving cover to some of the deadliest industries on the planet. Ruff highlights the example of Paolo Boffetta who for twenty years until 2009 worked for the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC) where he eventually became  chief of Environmental Cancer Epidemiology.

While still with IARC, Boffetta in 2008 accepted a contract with the consulting company Exponent, a firm dedicated to countering critical independent and government research into toxic products. He prepared a paper for the styrene industry claiming there was no increased risk of cancer “…among workers exposed to styrene.” The industry used the study effectively, citing Boffetta’s prestigious record with IARC. While Boffetta was at IARC in 1994 the agency had upgraded the styrene threat to “…probably carcinogenic to humans.”

When research by the Harvard School of Public Health revealed that sugary-drink consumption was responsible for roughly 180,000 deaths worldwide, Boffetta’s own mercenary research firm, the International Prevention Research Institute (IPRI) , published a review article, funded by Coca-Cola claiming there was “no link” between sugary drinks and cancer.

Ruff writes that Boffetta, still touting his IARC credentials, continues to take on projects defending products that have been judged to be carcinogenic or harmful by agencies like the WHO’s IARC: “…whether it’s the issue of dioxin, acrylimides, beryllium, atrazine, formaldehyde, diesel fumes, vinyl chloride, endocrine disruptors, PCBs, continued exposure to asbestos or air pollution caused by heavy metals, Boffetta has come up with the findings desired by the industry…”

The book focuses almost exclusively on the role of corporations in the assault on public interest science.  It details the efforts of the pharmaceutical industry to cover up deadly drugs; false science supporting the asbestos industry and the thens of thousandsof deaths that resulted; the failure of many scientific journals to demand of contributors that they reveal corporate funding and their refusal to withdraw articles revealed to be fraudulent; the systematic and sustained efforts to destroy the careers of scientists who have dared to simply tell the truth. It has a chapter on “Epidemiological War Crimes” detailing how a mass of German data on the toxicity of many drugs and chemicals was quietly handed over to US corporations after WW II, never to be seen again.

There is also a chapter on that now almost quaint concept of the precautionary principle, the foundation of public health protection for decades that was disposed of under the Paul Martin government by then deputy minister of health David Dodge. The precautionary principle, said Dodge was not geared to decision-making. “Risk management is about maximizing benefits and minimizing risks.”

It is encouraging to see scientists becoming “political” because in a capitalist society science can’t be anything but. Yet fighting the overtly irrational is just one step. Scientists have to show similar courage in confronting the corruption in their own ranks. They should all read this book.