I have been chatting off-and-on with Peter Ridd, now Professor of Physics at James Cook University, for nearly two decades. We both resent the lack of honesty in the reporting of many environmental issues.
Peter Ridd, Professor of Physics, James Cook University, Townsville
Earlier this week, Prof Ridd was concerned that his recent comments to Sid Maher at The Australian newspaper [1], and then his appearance on Sky News TV with Alan Jones and Peta Credlin [2], had not been received at all well by the University.
In particular, he has written and said:
“Policy science concerning the Great Barrier Reef is almost never checked. Over the next few years, Australian governments will spend more than a billion dollars on the Great Barrier Reef; the costs to industry could far exceed this. Yet the keystone research papers have not been subject to proper scrutiny. Instead there is a total reliance on the demonstrably inadequate peer-review process.”[3]
There is a website Retraction Watch [4], reporting on both the circumstances of papers being retracted, and more widely on the issue of fraud in science. It shows that there is a widespread problem: that Prof Ridd is correct to be concerned about what he often refers to as the general lack of ‘quality control’.
Rather than James Cook University sacking Peter Ridd for having the courage to speak out, it would be good if they would get behind him, and his calls for urgent reform.
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1. Maher, S. 2017. ‘No proper scrutiny’ of $1bn reef rescue funding', http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/no-proper-scrutiny-of-1bn-reef-rescue-funding/news-story/3a317e01f01c2ec61b102718be2feff1
2. Jones & Co. 2017. Sky News TV, https://twitter.com/SkyNewsAust/status/892337964851712000
3. Ridd, P. 2017. The Extraordinary Resilience of Great Barrier Reef Corals, and Problems with Policy Science. In Climate Change: The Facts, Institute of Public Affairs, Melbourne, Editor J. Marohasy, Pages 282-296.
4. Retraction Watch, http://retractionwatch.com/
Voltaire : To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize
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This thread is now closed to comments.
I would like to add that I believe that the top Australian universities such as University of Sydney would never stoop.to such a level. Get with the program JCU and start being the sophisticated university one would expect to find in a first world country. Instead JCU's treatment of intellectual debate and dialogue is reminiscent of the dark ages or a controlling regime. Have you read 1984? Is this how you want to be perceived JCU?
I intend to boycott JCU entirely. Would never be a students there in light of their shameful treatment of a true intellectual. Debating research ideas and questioning findings is an indication of the health and rigour of an academic establishment. JCU you show yourself to be truly backwards! Deplorable!
From Minnesota in the U.S. --- I would like to add another voice in support. Heroes are often isolated because they have chosen the right but narrow and difficult path. Human nature is very slow to change. The current attempt to create a dejure science parallels beliefs in witchcraft, eugenics and so much more. It may someday be the shining example of how not to do science. The collusion of science, politics and the media is profoundly antithetical to the ideals of the elegance and ideals of the scientific method.
The name of Peter Ridd could very well be among the the names of those who lead the way out of a terrible scientific cesspool (along with Jennifer's name) ------Thank you Peter Ridd ------Shame on James Cook University----a black mark on the U
I am a student at JCU and Peter Ridd is one of my favourite lecturers. Because he is honest, passionate and totally the opposite to the word bias. I always admire him for speaking out and standing for the right. This isn't the first time JCU has disappointed us students. I hope JCU wakes up and listens to genuine voices. How couldn't a scientist throw a question? Ridiculous.