Research Fund Used for Political Ends

Research money from the oil industry was used by University of Calgary academics to promote skepticism about human-caused climate change.

Written byEdyta Zielinska

| 1 min read

Save for Later

Listen with Speechify

0:00

1:00

FLICKR, NATHAN MACALUSO

Donations to a research fund at the University of Calgary totaling over $500,000 were reportedly used by academics to cover expenses related to communications consultants, advertisements, and other activities intended to cast a doubt on human contributions to climate change. Funneling the money through the university allowed it to be deducted from donors' taxes, according to The Calgary Herald.

"This was never about science," Greenpeace Canada climate and energy campaigner Keith Stewart told Postmedia News. "It was about implementing a political strategy." He added, "I am surprised that a university would channel donor dollars to support this kind of anti-science agenda."

In 2007, the university shut down the account after an audit determined that funds were being used in a political manner. A freedom of ...

Interested in reading more?

The Scientist ARCHIVES

Become a Member of

Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!

Join for free today

Already a member?

Add The Scientist as a preferred Google source to see more of our trusted coverage.

Meet the Author

Edyta Zielinska
Edyta Zielinska was a senior editor at The Scientist from 2007 to 2013, where she worked closely with scientific illustrators to develop accompanying graphics to illuminate complex concepts.
View Full Profile