University Defends Professors' Rights to Conduct Research on Fracking

University at Buffalo Statement Regarding Shale Resources and Society Institute:

The University at Buffalo recognizes that shale gas and hydraulic fracturing is an important, timely and controversial topic.

The university upholds academic freedom as a core principle. In accordance with this principle, faculty members are free to conduct research on any topic, including controversial ones, and to disseminate their findings without prior review or approval by the university. The university's role is to create a forum for objective research and informed debate -- not to dictate the positions taken by its faculty members. Thus the university views the work of the Shale Resources and Society Institute as fully consistent with UB's mission as a public research university. UB has no plans to alter or suspend the operations of the institute.

Schematic depiction of hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") for shale gas, showing main possible environmental effects. Wikimedia Commons, Mikenorton

There continue to be many opportunities for faculty, staff, students and the public to be engaged in this subject. UB's Geology Department hosted a seminar series on Marcellus Shale topics in 2011 which was open to the public. The Shale Resources and Society Institute held an open meeting in early April prior to its inauguration to discuss its plans. In mid-May, the institute held another open meeting for faculty to talk about its research agenda and invite collaboration. In addition the institute's leaders have met individually with several faculty members from across the university.

The institute is committed to sustaining an environment of scientific integrity, honest investigation and freedom from interference.

On May 25, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences responded to concerns raised in some quarters about the inaugural SRSI report: http://www.buffalo.edu/ubreporter/2012_05_31/shale_statement.

Other relevant information can be found at the institute's website [http://www.srsi.buffalo.edu] and in the press release http://www.buffalo.edu/ubreporter/2012_05_17/shale_violations