The Ecological Society of Australia has commissioned a survey of academic freedom to comment among ecologists and conservation scientists. “The information collected will help to generate a better understanding of the constraints on ecologically-trained professionals when contributing to public commentary on issues about which they have expertise.”

The survey is being conducted by RMIT researchers, Georgia Garrard and Alex Kusmanoff.

It asks researchers if they must have employer approval to comment publicly, including in peer-reviewed journals, whether they self-censor or have had reports on environmental impacts edited by their organisation and in which discipline areas.