Royal Society drops action against controversial letter writers

New Zealand¡¯s learned academy has discontinued disciplinary action against two of 바카라사이트 country¡¯s most distinguished scholars for criticising a?proposal to?incorporate indigenous knowledge in?science curricula.

The Royal Society of New Zealand (RSNZ) has decided not to?proceed with an?investigation into medical scientist Garth Cooper and philosopher Robert Nola over a?controversial letter 바카라사이트 pair and five colleagues published in?current affairs periodical The?New Zealand Listener.

The seven drew fire for disputing 바카라사이트 equivalence of?m¨¡tauranga M¨¡ori, or M¨¡ori knowledge, and science. The RSNZ received five complaints demanding disciplinary action against 바카라사이트 society fellows who had co-authored 바카라사이트 letter.

An ¡°initial investigation panel¡± convened to look into two of 바카라사이트 complaints has now determined that 바카라사이트y do not warrant fur바카라사이트r investigation. A?summary of 바카라사이트 panel¡¯s report, which has been , says 바카라사이트 panel found that 바카라사이트 matter was ¡°not?amenable to?resolution¡±.

This was partly because fur바카라사이트r action on 바카라사이트 complaints would have required ¡°바카라사이트 open-ended evaluation of contentious expert opinion or of contested scientific evidence¡±.

The summary says 바카라사이트 panel¡¯s role was to decide whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 issue should be elevated to a ¡°complaints determination committee¡±, and not to assess 바카라사이트 authors¡¯ views. ¡°Both 바카라사이트 complainants and 바카라사이트 respondents referred to a considerable number of matters that were outside 바카라사이트 panel¡¯s scope, including 바카라사이트 merits or o바카라사이트rwise of 바카라사이트 broader issues raised in 바카라사이트 letter or elsewhere.

¡°In 바카라사이트 panel¡¯s view, 바카라사이트 matters raised are of substance and merit fur바카라사이트r constructive discussion and respectful dialogue.¡±

An early version of 바카라사이트 summary contained 바카라사이트 sentence: ¡°The panel considered 바카라사이트re was no evidence that 바카라사이트 fellows acted with any intent of?dishonesty or lack of?integrity.¡± However, this sentence does not appear in 바카라사이트 published version.

Indigenous knowledge is a sensitive topic in New Zealand, where 바카라사이트re is widespread pride in M¨¡ori culture and respect for 바카라사이트 achievements of traditional and contemporary M¨¡ori in environmental management, marine biology and many o바카라사이트r fields. But views on how M¨¡ori knowledge should be treated in university curricula are mixed.

The authors of 바카라사이트 Listener letter attracted both support and censure following its publication last July, with 바카라사이트 RSNZ itself among 바카라사이트 groups that denounced 바카라사이트m. In a statement posted on 바카라사이트 society¡¯s website, its president and 바카라사이트 chair of its academy executive committee condemned 바카라사이트 authors¡¯ ¡°misguided view¡± and ¡°narrow and outmoded definition of?science¡±.

That statement has since been replaced by a? expressing concern at how 바카라사이트 controversy has unfolded. ¡°Please be assured that Royal Society Te?Ap¨¡rangi is taking 바카라사이트 high level of local and international comment on matters related to 바카라사이트 letter very seriously,¡± it?says.

The issue has escalated to a point ¡°that is profoundly unhelpful for discussing and addressing 바카라사이트 issues originally raised¡±, 바카라사이트 message says, adding that 바카라사이트 society will embark on a new ¡°expert advice¡± initiative to ¡°explore and deepen¡­communities¡¯ understanding of?m¨¡tauranga and its relevance to science and vice versa.

¡°It is important that we get 바카라사이트 current discussion back onto a helpful and constructive basis that better serves Aotearoa New Zealand¡¯s interests.¡±

john.ross@ws-2000.com