The myth of institutional neutrality: A dangerous climate obstruction strategy

Promoting the idea of institutional neutrality is a misleading and dangerous climate obstruction strategy. Within the financialised universities of the United States, institutional neutrality is a myth because it fails to acknowledge how research institutes and climate research agendas, have been - and continue to be, heavily influenced by corporate, military and political interests. This myth conceals how powerful interests have invested in universities to legitimate climate denial, delay fossil fuel phaseout, and distract away from climate concern. Corporate capture of universities has not only limited what kind of climate research is conducted and dampened societal responses to the climate crisis. It has also contributed to growing mistrust in scientific research and eroded the public good mission of higher education institutions. Instead of reinforcing the myth of institutional neutrality, higher education institutions need to reclaim their public good mission and recommit to engaging directly with urgent community needs to collectively prepare society for the turbulent times ahead.