Forced silence is not gold



[ad_1]

The case is being updated.

Scientists rarely rush controversy. I've met researchers who think we should eat the deceased to make the most of his resources. Others think that the killing of infants is morally equivalent to the life of a pig. There are provocative opinions, but none of the researchers has received reprimand from management.

He has, on the other hand, Øyvind Eikrem, Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work. In September, he told the controversial Resett site about the double killings in Trondheim. In particular, he stated that "some of the migrants have grown up with bellicose relations, many (…) are used to strict discipline and violence in their childhood, and such a desire will characterize (…) how to react. situations such as conflict and disagreement. "

READ ALSO: It's embarrassing, NTNU

Declarations have become criticized by several fagfellers. But they also led him to be called on the carpet of the department's management, who informed him that the interview was detrimental to the department's reputation. This prompted sharp criticism, particularly from Adresseavisen, who wrote to management that some NTNU employees needed a lesson in freedom of expression.

Following NTNU Rector Gunnar Bovim told the university newspaper that "most points of view should remain accessible, as long as they are in Norwegian law." This also applies to scientific staff. think the case was over. That was not it.

In the beginning In November, Eikrem was again called to management, according to the Khrono online newspaper. This time it was a student call that criticized Eikrem's statements to Resett. In the call Adresseavisen has access to, it says that minority students feel stamped. Of course, students have the right to criticize the speakers and it should have been possible to handle the criticisms in a way that could have been settled by all parties. Instead, a reaction has been that Bovim's message that freedom of expression is a reality at NTNU has never been passed on to the Ministry of Social Work.

READ THE COMMENT: Who's afraid of decolonization?

Do not just have to Often accused once again of damaging the department's reputation, according to the newspaper Minerva, he should also have been informed that he had "insulted all social occupiers in Norway, Sweden and Finland". In addition, Eikrem should not comment on the case in public. The reason? To rule could be a violation of the law on the working environment, as this could result in "mental exposure to oneself or others". A burden for himself? It borders on Kafka-like.

How could is it bad? Part of the explanation seems to be cultural. The institute is described as a little traditional place for professional discussions. Part of the university community should be characterized by a culture where a political vision of immigration sets the guidelines for research work. Those who go against the current become unpopular. People will not talk publicly about the Oakbelt case for fear of getting in trouble. The overall impression is that of a workplace where freedom of speech researchers must give way to the liberalization of immigration.

READ ALSO: Researchers must have the right to challenge

Even a note The liberalization of immigration, like me, understands that such a culture is in conflict with freedom of expression. It is also poorly linked to one of the university's most important community missions: facilitating an open academic debate. Researchers may be deeply at odds with everything from help to active death to the question of whether international adoption is a good idea. Institutes should encourage such debates, do not try to choke them.

It's hard not to leave the impression that the direction of the Department of Social Work has behaved with little wisdom in this matter. Of course, disagreements between researchers can be difficult, even personal. However, good leadership is about mitigating conflicts, especially when they are infected, and trying to resolve them preferably. Here seems to have been the opposite.

Wednesday, rector Gunnar Bovim posted a video on Facebook. There, he claims that NTNU should have better protected freedom of expression in the Eikrem case. This time, the Department of Social Work should receive the message.

The author of the article has previously been employed at NTNU, where he has particularly engaged with employment-related issues.

Read more reviews of Morten Langfeldt Dahlback here

Follow Addressavisen Opinions on Facebook and Adresseavisen on Facebook, Instagram and twitter

[ad_2]
Source link