The results of ESA’s industry-wide survey on science suppression in Australia, coordinated by ESA’s Academic Freedom Working Group (AFWG), were published last year in Conservation Letters. This study highlighted that there is more to be done to address this problem, and improve conservation outcomes.

To make progress in these areas, the Academic Freedom Working Group is calling for volunteers – please contact  to discuss how you can be involved.

The AFWG has made progress in taking the next steps in the University sector. There are important steps that could be taken in the government and industry sectors, but to make progress, we need ESA members in these industries to contribute.  There are many actions we can take, initially guided by a 10-Point Plan, to help alleviate the pressures on open communication of science and ecology-based advice. Initiatives you could lead or participate in include;

• Coordinate or participate in a public service working group to evaluate codes of conduct and adapt the Canadian Code of Scientific Integrity to suit Australian state governments. Develop pathways to adoption.
• Coordinate or participate in an environmental-industry working group, where first steps might be to coordinate workshops to discuss issues and generate a plan for further actions.
• Evaluate Occupational Health and Safety issues around science suppression, develop best practice policy and a pathway to implementation.
• Evaluate pathways for ecologists, the ESA and other organisations to contribute to improved environmental governance, including independent environmental agencies.

If you wish to document a current case of science suppression in Australia, please fill in our form.