Research is failing. Now, let us fix it.
I came to Cornell University to conduct research that directly helps to mitigate the climate crisis. I quickly realized, however, that even the most credible research can fail to make a greater impact beyond the ivory towers of academia. I have decided not to settle for the status quo.
Scientific advancement has made incredible discoveries of great benefit to society, such as the development of vaccines. Yet, despite this, opportunities are constantly missed to create impactful research that is felt within civil society and policy. There exists a long history of research being conducted in a negligent manner, such as the dark links between genetics and eugenics.
This failure is especially visible in climate change research. Despite the overwhelming amount of scientific evidence supporting the existence of climate change, the topic is still debated and heavily politicized. Projects like the United Nations’ Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation sought to promote carbon sequestration and have, in practice, inadvertently reinforced existing inequalities in Indigenous communities. The year 2024 marked the warmest year on record compared to pre-industrial temperatures — a milestone that highlights the severity of the climate crisis and the failure of current research strategies to impact policy.
I have seen the disconnect between research and real-world results firsthand within both industry and academia: first as a research assistant at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and now as a second year M.S./Ph.D. student in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. I am actively seeking ways to conduct my research in a manner that closes this disconnect and promotes accessible knowledge creation.
A host of institutional barriers exist that prevent actionable research. This column challenges those barriers.
I do not claim to have all the answers. This column is in itself a form of experimentation and resistance to the typical scientific tradition of objectivity. I will be learning with my readers and sharing my findings of this experiment in real time. No frills or heavy jargon, just ideas shared from one person to another. I encourage discussion, debate and contemplation.
The fact remains: the Earth is warming and our current strategies are failing. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. New pathways are needed to obtain a different future. So, join me on this journey as I explore what research can — and should — look like beyond ivory towers.
Natalia Butler M.S./Ph.D. is an Opinion Columnist from the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. Her monthly column, Beyond Ivory Towers, explores the role of academics in the face of the climate and biodiversity crisis. She can be reached at nbutler@cornellsun.com.
