Attacks on Science

<h2>Using the Data</h2>
<p>The Union of Concerned Scientists' (UCS) Center for Science and Democracy has tracked attacks on science across four presidential administrations (Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden). This page was last updated in April 2023. </p>
<p>This data is free and unrestricted for use.
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<h2>Further Information</h2>
<p>Each attack on science includes a link for more information. The Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists has documented these attacks in greater detail at <a href="www.ucsusa.org/center-science-and-democracy/attacks-on-science">www.ucsusa.org/center-science-and-democracy/attacks-on-science</a>.</p>
<h2>Caveats</h2>
<p>The database is derived from publicly available information. Attacks related to policy decisions have firm dates; other attacks are best estimations. If the attack was only brought to light by an investigation by a news outlet, the date of the attack is the publication date by that outlet. Details of attacks on science sometimes emerged after the end of a presidential administration; all dates correspond to when the attack was brought to light by media, Congress, the GAO, or other organizations. </p>
<h2>Data Dictionary</h2>
<ul>
<li><b>Month</b>- Which month the attack on science happened</li>
<li><b>Day</b>- Which day the attack on science happened</li>
<li><b>Year</b>- Which year the attack on science happened</li>
<li><b>Admin</b>- Which presidential administration the attack took place during</li>
<li><b>Short Description</b>- A brief overview of what happened</li>
<li><b>Issue</b>- In this column we list if the attack on science is related to one of six issue areas: <i>equity, environmental, climate change, public health, COVID-19 and/or endangered species</i>. A dash ("-") indicates that the attack did not fall into one of these issue areas.</li>
<li><b>Agency/ies Involved</b>- Which government agencies were involved in the attack. When "Congress" or the "White House" is listed, it indicates that Congress or the White House carried out the action.</li>
<li><b>Attack Category</b>- In this column we list which tactic was used to carry out each type of attack on science.</li>
<li><b>More information</b>- A link to more detailed information about the attack</li>
</ul>