The Royal Society is set to review its fellowship guidelines on March 3, following growing backlash over Elon Musk’s continued membership. The academy, which has not revoked a fellowship in 150 years, faces calls to take action over Musk’s social media activity and promotion of conspiracy theories.
More than 2,700 scientists have signed an open letter led by Professor Stephen Curry of Imperial College London, criticizing the society’s “continued silence and apparent inaction” regarding Musk’s fellowship, which he was awarded in 2018.
“I am at a loss to understand how these actions are consistent with a code of conduct that requires fellows to have ‘due regard for the statement of values developed from time to time by Society’,” wrote Professor Curry, referring to Musk’s “promotion of unfounded conspiracy theories” and behavior on social media
The debate has already led to resignations, including that of Oxford psychologist Professor Dorothy Bishop, who said she could not remain in an institution that counted Musk as a member, comparing him to a “Bond villain.”
Curry also warned that the issue was compounded by Musk’s role in a Trump administration accused of undermining scientific research in the U.S. The upcoming meeting could mark a rare and significant decision for the UK’s most prestigious scientific body.
Reported by The Times of India.
