When scientists are attacked: Strategies for dissident scientists and whistleblowers

Dissent and controversy have long been recognized to play crucial roles in the production of scientific advances. However, whenever a power structure is threatened by novel ideas, we can expect gatekeepers to attempt to suppress those ideas. Interests such as money, power, status, privilege, or other advantages are powerful shapers of people’s world views and self-identities. As such, interests exert pressure on the direction of research and shape the responses by gatekeepers to those scientists who challenge a dominant paradigm. Here we outline common tactics employed by gatekeepers of a paradigm against dissenting data and scientists and provide advice to those looking to promote scientific advancement, openness, transparency, and fairness in their own scientific communities.