Scientists involved in blocking roads and invading private jet terminals say they’ve lost out on promotions and been reported by students, but others cite their protests in grant applications as forms of research output. Frustration with institutional inertia and delayed impact has pushed some climate activists out of academia, but those who remain are hopeful their troublemaking will not only bring change but may even help their careers. Direct-action groups set up to force the world to pay attention to the climate crisis have attracted academics in healthy numbers in recent years, but their efforts to make a difference have elicited mixed responses among colleagues and senior management.
Scientists involved in road-blocking and invading private jet terminals say they’ve lost out on promotions and been reported by students but others cite their protests in grant applications as forms of research output