Why Scientists in Solidarity Exists — and How You Can Join
The Moment We’re In
Science—and democracy—are under attack. Authoritarian power is consolidating, reshaping universities, defunding research, and putting science-adjacent work at risk. Many scientists, researchers, and communicators feel powerless. This isn’t just a funding crisis—it’s a crisis of legitimacy, solidarity, and purpose.
Why We Exist
Scientists in Solidarity was born to respond to this moment. We organize scientists and science allies into coordinated, collective action to defend public goods, block authoritarian consolidation, and build a science-society interface that works for everyone, not just those at the top.
Our Guiding Policy
We help scientists:
- Develop a sense of purpose in this moment
- Connect with others who share a stake in this fight
- Find a political home, either with us or aligned organizations
- Move from individual action to collective impact
How We Take Action
We focus on three pillars:
1. Basebuilding: Action Hours welcome scientists into collective problem-solving and connect them to ongoing campaigns.
2. Skill-Building: Training programs strengthen political analysis, power mapping, and organizing skills so participants can engage in strategic action.
3. Coalition Work: We partner with anti-authoritarian and pro-democracy groups to build broad, coordinated networks ready to act together.
Why Now Matters
Research shows that coordinated, nonviolent action is the most effective way to counter authoritarianism. There is no silver bullet, but there is a path forward: millions of people, aligned in analysis and coordinated in action, can defend democracy and transform science for the public good. We don’t have much time to reverse this, but we know from other countries that reversal of democratic backsliding is possible through mass movements of nonviolent noncoooperation.
Your Role
Everyone has a place. Artists, researchers, caretakers—your skills matter. Find your “special sauce” and plug into collective action, whether that’s with Scientists in Solidarity or one of our coalition partners. Together, we move from despair to formation, from isolation to power.
Join Our Action Hours
From isolation to action: Scientists in Solidarity's weekly Action Hours are your space to find community, get grounded, and engage in meaningful collective efforts. Register here.