Yesterday, I was saddened to learn that Dr. Judith Curry had resigned her position at Georgia Tech. At the same time, I was impressed by her reasoning, and with her candor. I’m certain that she’ll still make some wonderful contributions in her new role. I thought this part of her post was very germane:
Once you detach from the academic mindset, publishing on the internet makes much more sense, and the peer review you can get on a technical blog is much more extensive. But peer review is not really the point; provoking people to think in new ways about something is really the point. In other words, science as process, rather than a collection of decreed ‘truths.’
I left this comment on her blog:
Dear Judith,
It is my wish that you find satisfaction, happiness, and effect as you travel down the new road. You’ve previously made a detour in 2010 to follow the “road less traveled” and along the way, you’ve made enemies, as well as many new friends. That took exceptional courage, and we are all better for it. Now, you can choose the road you like.
Best wishes, and kindest regards, with respect.
Anthony Watts
Her husband, Peter Webster, left this note:
A PERSONAL NOTE:
Judy and I have been together for many years and partners in many endeavors. I would like to make a number of personal observations relative to her post.
I have never met another person with higher integrity, honesty and forthrightness. When you ask Judy for an opinion, one expects her to be honest. There is no flim flam! I have been the recipient of advice in many joint areas of our lives and when I pick myself off the floor, bruised ego and all, one finds her advice has been sound.
She is an eloquent spokesperson for the integrity of science and stands apart from many academics that, for their own survival, have been forced along paths that allows a lack of questioning we would hope would exist in all areas of science. In my opinion she has challenged the “oligarchs of conformity” on either side of the climate discussion. But I think you may have noticed these characteristics within her blog.
Let me say a few things about her scientific career of which many of many of you may be less aware. Judy ranks extremely highly in many areas of science ranging from radiation theory, cloud physics, thermodynamics and arctic climate. Besides modeling and theoretical work she has organized field experiences in hazardous parts of the world. Of late, she has major contributions in extended prediction that have been discussed on the blog. She has published nearly 200 papers in the standard peer reviewed literature and two major scientific text books as well. Given her extremely high citations and scientific influence, one has to wonder (but not very far) why she has not received the accolades she clearly deserves. She has been nominated for awards and prizes many times. But, simply put, there are no prizes or awards for those not in lock-step with the conformity of the field. However, Judy’s awards and distinctions have come from her efforts from other towards the sanctity of science. I think Judy would agree to that.
Her service to academia has been stellar. She took over a struggling department at Georgia Tech and now, 15 years later after 24 hires it ranks in the top echelon of earth and atmospheric schools globally. I would dearly love to say that the present high-level administrators of Tech appreciate her efforts but they are more concerned with being in “lock-step” with consensus positions as well. God forbid that a prominent GT faculty member may question consensus science! Judy, thus, is correct in her assessment of the state of higher education beyond Georgia Tech.
Finally, Judy in retirement! I think it is the correct move for her at this stage of her career. Note that I said “at this stage” as I have no doubt that she will continue to be a strong voice promoting scientific integrity. I am equally sure she will excel in business as well.
Judy, thanks for our exciting ride and to all those things you have given me and our field in general. Ethics have risen and dogma has suffered through your efforts! Academia is merely a stepping stone!
Peter W
(submitted without permission or review!)
CFACT writes via email. (link here)
Dr. Judith Curry, a respected climate scientist, has announced her resignation from her tenured position at Georgia Tech.
She’s had enough of the politics and propaganda that beset climate science.
Dr. Curry explained,
“the deeper reasons have to do with my growing disenchantment with universities, the academic field of climate science and scientists… I no longer know what to say to students and postdocs regarding how to navigate the CRAZINESS in the field of climate science. Research and other professional activities are professionally rewarded only if they are channeled in certain directions approved by a politicized academic establishment — funding, ease of getting your papers published, getting hired in prestigious positions, appointments to prestigious committees and boards, professional recognition, etc.”
“How young scientists are to navigate all this is beyond me, and it often becomes a battle of scientific integrity versus career suicide.”
More on her blog here
Dr. Curry appears in CFACT’s documentary film Climate Hustle which touches upon her journey from member of the climate establishment to principled dissenter, after being shocked by what was revealed in the “Climategate” emails.
Restoring integrity to climate science and making it once again a welcoming field for researchers like Dr. Curry won’t be easy.
Renowned atmospheric scientist Richard Lindzen of MIT has called for severe measures.
“They should probably cut the funding by 80 to 90 percent until the field cleans up,” he said. “Climate science has been set back two generations, and they have destroyed its intellectual foundations.”
As 2017 begins change is in the air.
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She has now more to offer to Climate Science community!
I think it could be the beginning of a new era. We all, who believe in scientific ethics and integrity are looking forward to that. She can lead all of us in that direction. All the story of our sufferings need to be heard and appropriate measures should be taken. We should make a collective recommendation to Trump administration to place her in an appropriate role. She could be the most suitable person to rescue the climate science from that standstill situation. We need her to lead climate science in the true direction.
“Dr. Curry appears in CFACT’s documentary film Climate Hustle”
A little off-topic, but does anybody know if this DVD is shipping to Australia yet?
The website seems to suggest USA only.
Two options I found:
1. From the CFACT.org “Climate Hustle” page link “to order by mail click here”
Questions, contact: nancy@cdrcommunications.com
( http://1l6sl7237n5w2xqj2v29xy7q.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ORDER-FORM-CLIMATE-HUSTLE.pdf )
2. When I clicked through to “Checkout” using the online ordering option, Australia was among the countries in the “Calculate shipping” dialogue box. For my “item in shopping cart,” the DVD ($19.95), it quoted a flat rate of $13.00 for Australia. I didn’t go beyond that.
So! GOOD NEWS, Mr. Rangah! It appears that you can get the DVD shipped to Australia!
Hope that helped.
Janice
P.S. Here’s where I stopped in the checkout process at CFACT: http://www.climatehustle.org/cart/
And here is the “Climate Hustle” main link: http://www.climatehustle.org/ .
It see,s to me that Dr. Curry will be a competent person to check to technically advise an administration that want information on climate and not propaganda
Hooray for Dr. Curry. I hope she can moderate the extreme craziness about this issue. The new administration may lower the temperature here. As far as the rest of Mr. Trump’s agenda good luck.
It’s sad.
Well done Judith – don’t have a suitable account to hand to leave a message on yer blog.
But yes, in the end what has happened to science forces one to look at the deeper issues of philosophy of science and the like, to understand why one is so disturbed by the politicisation of science.
“Given her extremely high citations and scientific influence, one has to wonder (but not very far) why she has not received the accolades she clearly deserves.”
Not very far, indeed. Good luck, Dr. Curry. You must feel like you’re getting out of jail.
I too was once a true believer. There is nothing wrong with that. Intellectual death, however, comes when one stops thinking independently and one stops questioning even that which is considered true and not controversial. A true scientist will always be skeptical even of his or her own work and theories. This is Georgia Tech’s loss and the rest of the world’s gain. Long life and many successes in her endeavors are my sincere wishes for Dr. Curry.
Mark Steyn has a superb tribute to Judith here:-
http://www.steynonline.com/7661/the-craziness-of-the-climate-science-echo-chamber
God Speed to you Dr. Curry. May the best be in your future.
The loss will be greatest among the students that needed your clarion voice!
All the best Dr. Curry. I fear however, the vacuum of reason you leave will be filled with more pliable people. The scam will continue.
When “Gavin” retires after Trump in inaugurated, maybe Dr. Curry can take over his job.
She’d slowly eliminate it anyway.
The lovely Michael Mann reaction summed up by Mark Steyn http://www.steynonline.com/7661/the-craziness-of-the-climate-science-echo-chamber
Looks like I was wrong about her. I hope she lands on her feet.
It is quite sad that Professor Curry a person with such integrity can be the subject of attacks by reptilian type creatures such as Mann.
I completely understand. But I wimped out at the very start of research while pursuing my Masters. I completed my research and published one research article. But the wrangling that occurred surrounding one simple basic research endeavor and one article soured me so much I left the hallowed halls of institutional research a one-hit wonder, committed to not ever pursuing a Ph.D., though my research committee said the piece was worthy of it had I been in a Ph.D. program.
It isn’t just in Climate Science that political wrangling rules the lab.
I love that Mann tweeted a personal attack to say that he didn’t like her because of her personal attacks.
Well, she started it!
Did too!
He’ll tell mom, he will!
The consensus in the Climate Science Industry seems to be that a preponderant % of funding for Climate Research goes to the CO2/Alarmist cartel, with predictable results — “He who pays the Piper, calls the tune!” We pay; You deliver; We’ll pay again …… A self-fertilizing, anti-Scientific monster is thus created which assumes a life unto its own … a Frankenstein called “AGW Alarmism”, no less.
Since governments are major funding agencies for Climate Research, and since — for any incoming new government — it should axiomatically be of prime importance to represent the interests of *all* voters by levelling the playing-field.
I suggest Trump promulgate an Act requiring Gov’t Agencies (definition, please) to split funding 50/50 with Research Institutions dedicated to Climate Change for all non-AGW attributions. Get Dr. Judith Curry to head-up a faculty specifically dedicated to same? Get many of her gagged colleagues out into *honest* and unbiased research into Climate Change?
It would be apposite if Present Elect Trump were to hear of Judith Curry’s resignation & take her into his new government.
It’s no secret that the corrupt Obama Administration, NSF etc have been controlling scientific grant money to academia to favor their political agenda. But now with a non socialist Potus…the times… they are a changing.
Georgia Tech’s loss is our gain. Hoping to see sanity brought back to the Climate debate by Dr Curry’s writing online
Worth repeating here:
This is a shocking page, filled with dishonest attacks on the honest scientists who have studied climate change and published their research. Where is the research from the dozens of talking heads in this thread? None of them say anything scientific about climate change. Instead it is the kind of dishonest reputation-attacking nonsense that comes from a fringe that has no evidence to back its point of view. The likeliest explanation for this is a flood of money from the oil industry to pay for these shills, especially the ones who have earned an honest PhD and decided to sell it for a whack of cash to the oil cartel. What a disgusting display of academic corruption.
The same “honest scientists” ensnared in ClimateGate”?
The same “honest scientists” who have pulled every trick in the book to disparage, marginalize and silence other Scientists — Intellectually Honest Scientists — who have challenged *your* guys?
Anyway, you have nothing substantive to adduce, and your entire post is dismissive by anyone with 1/2 a brain, and worthy of nothing but the Trash Bin.
As to errors in your rant, I shd additionally point-out that “None” is singular, and therefore your text shd. read: “None of them says …”
“The likeliest explanation for this is a flood of money from the oil industry to pay for these shills”
Really?
I presume you have solid evidence, and know from where these funds are disbursed.
Can you have a word with ‘Accounts’ and ask them what has happened to my cheque?
Only, I haven’t had a penny yet, and to the best of my knowledge nor have any of the other WUWT contributors, and I’ve been debunking the CAGW scam for way over a decade now.
Thanks in advance!
Sadly hearing of Dr. Judith Curry’s resignment.
‘(although I am a few years shy of 65)’
____________________________________________
Hans:
well I’m a built 1953. And last year my job wandered to Plzen Czechia.
So this 2017 I am shy 1 year of retirement.
____________________________________________
Judith Curry:
Technically, my resignation is a retirement event, since I am on the Georgia State Teachers Retirement System, and I need to retire from Georgia Tech to get my pension (although I am a few years shy of 65). I have requested Emeritus status.
____________________________________________
Hans:
leaves: 1 year left of unemployment.
My Answer:
https://youtu.be/krK7Q49o6uA
Ahoi Plzen !
Your beer is OK !
Regards – Hans