From: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]

Sent: 21 December 2012 1:42

Subject: Field Museum petition



Dear friends and colleagues,



You may already be aware of it, but in case not: on Tuesday the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago announced drastic cuts to its scientific and collections staff. (If you don't know about it, a good link is this one: <http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-field-museum-to-cut-staff-overhaul-operations-and-limit-research-scope-20121218,0,6939773.story?track=rss>; there was also an article in Nature today.) A colleague at the museum has started a petition, which is being circulated as widely as possible: <https://www.change.org/petitions/protect-research-at-field-museum-of-natural-history-chicago>. I don't know if this petition has already been circulated in your circles, but I would ask please that you sign it, circulate it, and do what else you can to spread the word. Signatures count; support from other institutions and individuals may make a real difference in saving the research functions of the Field Museum. I am not a big fan of petitions in general, but in this case I think it might actually have an effect--especially if it comes from a broad swath of people.



Letters to the same addressees as the petition--Richard Lariviere, CEO and President, Field Museum of Natural History; Debra Moskovitz, VP of Science and Education; and John Rowe, Chairman of the Board of Trustees--from individuals and/or academic units would probably be even more effective. But fast is key, I think.



Why do I care about this? In part because I collaborate with a paleontologist who works there; in part because it is a world-class institution, and it is about not to become one. But the part that may interest historians of science the most is that without the science, there will be no history to work on. History of natural history depends on continuity of resources. Once those resources go away, the history, too, is threatened. If you are interested in the history of collections-based research (not to mention the knowledge about biodiversity revealed by it), then you should be interested in preserving the research activities of the Field Museum. If you understand that education and exhibits work best if backed up by original research, then you should clarify your support as coming from the connection between the two.



The current "plan" is to dissolve the departments of geology, botany, zoology, and anthropology, and merge them into a "new, leaner organization, broadly titled 'Science and Education.'" Sounds good, doesn't it? Except that who is getting cut is the scientists and collections managers.



Please sign the petition, write a letter, and pass the word.

Thanks,

Lynn



--

Lynn K. Nyhart

Vilas-Bablitch-Kelch Distinguished Achievement Professor

Department of the History of Science

University of Wisconsin--Madison

207 Bradley Memorial, 1225 Linden Drive

Madison, WI 53706-1528 USA



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