We need good data and evidence to make important decisions as a society, especially where policies can have big consequences for everyday life. That often requires new research into difficult questions, to establish the facts and see whether or not they confirm what we think is true.  

Good science involves open scrutiny of research – challenging assumptions, critiquing methods and the opportunity to undertake independent analysis of data being used to support any new findings. Research is usually first reviewed by experts in their field, then given wider scrutiny, before being published. Data should be posted on open access servers, so we can all decide how good the work is and evaluate the results. 

In partnership with the leading scientific journal Nature, we run the John Maddox prize, which has been awarded annually since 2012 to individuals who have shown courage and integrity in standing up for sound science and evidence. The prize brings into the spotlight the underappreciated efforts of people the world over who try to bring research and evidence to public debate even when it is challenging, and inspires and encourages others to do the same. 

Scientific research is being suppressed 

Too often we are prevented from accessing legitimate research – or even knowing it exits! This research does not see the light of day for political or ideological reasons, without any public discussion of the findings. Research can be supressed in many ways.

Suppression of research diminishes our understanding of the world, meaning we’re not able to make decisions on the best available evidence. It is time to remind those censoring or hiding results that what is true or not is not determined by how popular it is. What makes good science should not be decided in a court room. 

Time to call out suppression of research 

At Sense about Science we have pursued many cases of research suppression over the past two decades, often getting results and research released by speaking directly to offenders before going public. But instead of seeing fewer cases, the problem is getting worse, with more extreme behaviour by institutions and individuals and the uncritical application of crude algorithms to make important, nuanced decisions. 

We need to call out those who are damaging research integrity and harming society’s ability to make important decisions. 

Why evidence matters

Important decisions that affect people’s lives should always be made on the best available evidence. Government needs to be transparent about the evidence used in policy making, and researchers must be free to ask difficult questions and carry out robust studies on socially important issues. 

Denying the public and academic community access to research and data, even if it is facts we don’t like to hear, limits our ability to make the best decisions for society. 

How hiding evidence and supressing research harms society 

When decisions are made without all the evidence, we all lose out. 

For example, we need clinical trials to test whether a medicine is safe and effective. But if we only see the results of successful trials, we get a biased view of how well a treatment works, and its side effects. The consequences for society can be just as bad if social science findings aren’t shared, or researchers are prevented from finding answers to important questions in the first place. 

Research should be open to public scrutiny and peer review 

Science isn’t perfect, and new research should be rigorously scrutinised. That includes expert peer reviewers checking the methodology and statistics. It means people challenging the conclusions being drawn from new findings. We might even want to question the value of the research being done at all, especially if it is publicly funded. 

But none of that is possible if the data and findings aren’t made public first. 

The problem of suppressed research in free societies 

You may assume that in a society with free speech, anyone is able to undertake and share whatever research they want. But in practice there are many ways in which legitimate researchers are being prevented from studying and publishing important questions. Often it is on issues that are being hotly debated in society – exactly the issues where we need more evidence to make good decisions. 

How is research suppressed in a free society? 

There are many ways in which research is suppressed – either by stopping it from being done in the first place, or by preventing the results from being released or widely seen. This include projects being blocked from starting, study data not being published, reports being hidden or delayed indefinitely, censorship on media platforms and intimidation of researchers. 

How much research is being suppressed? 

A 2017 study by the University and College Union found that over 35% of UK academics had undertaken self-censorship (refrained from publishing, teaching, talking or doing research on a particular topic), for fear of negative repercussions, compared to 19% in the EU.

A small survey of researchers in 2021 found that 18% of respondents said they had experienced pressure by a funder to delay, alter or not publish findings on public health issues, including nutrition, sexual health, physical activity and substance use.