Scientific misconduct as social misconduct

Open Access

Abstract

International audience ; This paper describes processe s of disqualification in an environmental dispute, and the impact they (can) have. Scientists, benefiting from an aura of neutrality and reason, publicly express their negative personal opinions as relevant constructed knowledge. This has an impact on the public's level of trust in the scientific inquiry, and can destroy the possibility of doing field work. This is especially the ca se when the problem under study (here, pollution issues) has strong links with sc ientific activity, and can generate serious delays in a political process. The disqualification of others being often observed in academics, an in stitution should be designed to solve such issues with civility.