petersuber
Lisa SchiffThere's still time to register for the next #DefendResearch webinar! On April 8th, #DefendResearch team member and Declaration co-author Sara Rouhi will be in conversation with information studies researcher Dr. George Cooper, who will share key findings from his 6-year project on the conditions of #censorship complicity in scholarly publishing.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7HCzoxUGTguI7AolqdN7CA#/registration
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Conditions of Censorship Complicity in Scholarly Publishing: A China case study. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
As part of DefendResearch.org's ongoing work to highlight the dangers of government censorship of science and research in the United States, we are launching a webinar series in 2026 dedicated to conversations with scholars and experts who view the current attacks on academic freedom as existential and who believe that it is vital to educate the public about the repercussions of these acts of censorship. During this webinar, we'll be in conversation with Dr. George Cooper (he/him), Lecturer in Publishing Practice at University College London. Dr. Cooper will present an overview of key findings from a 6-year research project on the conditions of censorship complicity in scholarly publishing. This will include a discussion of how political coercion and economic dependence shaped publishers' responses to censorship demands in China, and the widespread tendencies to diffuse, deny and redistribute responsibility to resist censorship pressures more broadly. We will explore how uncertainty is managed strategically by censors and self-censors alike and in ways that prohibit collective action. This presentation will show how effective resistance to censorship requires broader coalitions—encompassing research funders and librarians—and sector-wide frameworks to enable collective action. More on DefendResearch.org: Launched by scholarly communications professionals in February 2025, DefendResearch.org is the home of the "Declaration to Defend Research from US Government Censorship" - a statement condemning the Trump Administration's attacks on academic and scientific freedom and highlighting the dangers to American intellectual life. The Declaration's signatories are both individuals and organizations and represent over tens of thousands of people across the globe. All are welcome to sign and are further encouraged to commit to actions that highlight the dangers of censorship through outreach to elected officials and the broader community. Learn more: DefendResearch.org
Peter Suber
Leibniz Open Science