The Energy Department set policies on the freedom of its employees to speak publicly about their research, an issue that drew heightened attention recently after Trump transition team members asked the department to identify individuals who had worked on certain climate-related research–a request the department denied.
“The cornerstone of the scientific integrity policy at DoE is that all scientists, engineers, or others supported by DoE are free and encouraged to share their scientific findings and views. This includes federal staff, including the heads of departmental elements and heads of field elements, scientists and engineers at DoE laboratories and field sites, other contractors who support the R&D mission, and financial assistance recipients.” says the policy.
They are free to discuss their scientific work and research “openly, whether in a scientific or a public forum or with the media, and to publish their findings” as well as to “share their personal views and opinions on scientific or technical related policy matters”–including through use of social media–provided they do not attribute these views to the government and that they comply with restrictions on disclosure of classified information.
Employees must notify management and communications and public affairs offices on interactions with the news media, but “under no circumstance may anyone, including a public affairs officer, ask or direct any researcher to alter the record of scientific findings or conclusions.”
The policy further reaffirms the department’s commitment to protections against retaliation for whistleblowing.
