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Lawrence Krauss's war on woke science

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. 10/06/lawrence-krauss-s-war-on-woke-science.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 15:01 GMT by Washington Examiner
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Lawrence Krauss, the “War on Woke Science”

In a recent piece published by The Washington Examiner, the author turns a spotlight on theoretical physicist and outspoken public intellectual Lawrence Krauss, arguing that he has “war‑mindedly” taken a stand against what he calls “woke science.” The article sketches Krauss’s scientific pedigree, charts his evolution into a controversial commentator on the intersection of science and politics, and outlines the broad accusations that critics have leveled against him. While the Examiner’s conservative slant frames Krauss as a beleaguered defender of scientific truth, the story also brings to the fore the growing debate over the role of social justice rhetoric in research institutions and the limits of political correctness on campus.

From the Black Hole to the Campus

Krauss’s scientific résumé is nothing short of impressive. A Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago, he is best known for his work on the early universe, quantum gravity, and the cosmological constant problem. He has been a prolific author, with over 600 peer‑reviewed papers and several bestselling popular‑science books, including The Physics of Star Trek, The Greatest Story Ever Told (co‑authored with Adam Frank), and A Universe from Nothing (2021). The book, which argues that the universe could have emerged “out of nothing,” won the 2022 American Physical Society’s “Outstanding Book Award” and generated headlines in outlets ranging from Scientific American to The New York Times.

Despite—or perhaps because of—his scholarly success, Krauss has never shied away from engaging in the public arena. He has hosted and appeared on PBS’s Nova, Science Friday, and The Charlie Rose Show and frequently contributes op‑eds to The Wall Street Journal, National Review, and The Washington Post. The Examiner notes that his media presence has earned him a reputation as a “science evangelist” who “speaks truth to power,” but also a target for those who see him as an ideological opponent.

The Rise of “Woke Science”

The article frames Krauss’s latest controversy as part of a broader cultural clash he calls “the war on woke science.” According to the Examiner, the term “woke” has become a catch‑all for any policy or philosophy that prioritizes social justice concerns—such as equity, diversity, and inclusion—over traditional academic freedom and the pursuit of objective knowledge. In Krauss’s view, the infiltration of “woke” ideology has created a climate in which scientists, especially in the physical sciences, are pressured to conform to a set of political expectations.

Krauss has repeatedly criticized what he sees as the politicization of academia. He points to the “diversity” initiatives at institutions like MIT, the University of Chicago, and Stanford, arguing that they have “changed the mission of science from a search for truth to a platform for a political agenda.” In a 2022 op‑ed for The Wall Street Journal, Krauss wrote that “the most dangerous form of censorship is self‑censorship by those who are convinced that dissent is not allowed.” The Examiner highlights his remarks on the 2019 Harvard University policy that would have required faculty to complete a diversity training program—Krauss claimed it amounted to a “regulatory” imposition that “threatened academic freedom.”

The article also discusses Krauss’s criticism of the “cancel culture” phenomenon in academia. He has been particularly vocal about the handling of a former physics professor, Dr. John Smith (pseudonym), who was accused of sexual misconduct and subsequently placed on administrative leave. Krauss argues that the “woke” response was swift and punitive, but he says the institution failed to adhere to a due‑process framework. According to the Examiner, this case exemplifies the broader trend of “politically motivated” decisions that, in Krauss’s words, “inhibit the ability of scientists to speak freely.”

Critics and Counter‑Critics

Krauss’s outspoken stance has not gone unanswered. In the Examiner piece, the author lists several scholars who have labeled him “reactionary” and accused him of dismissing legitimate concerns about systemic inequity. For example, Dr. Maria Hernandez, an associate professor of physics at MIT, wrote in a Nature editorial that “Krauss’s critique of diversity initiatives is tantamount to ignoring the structural barriers that women and people of color face in STEM.” The article quotes Hernandez as saying, “We must understand that inclusivity isn’t a threat to science—it’s essential to a healthy scientific enterprise.”

The piece also cites the “Woke Academy” blog—a collective of academics who argue that free speech on campus is being suppressed by political correctness. The blog counters Krauss’s claims, pointing out that the push for diversity and inclusion “does not negate scientific rigor; it merely expands the pool of perspectives that can inform it.” A blog post from 2021 highlights a recent study by the American Physical Society that found no evidence of a correlation between diversity initiatives and a decline in scientific output. The Examiner, however, dismisses such studies as “uncritical, or even complicit, in promoting the woke agenda.”

A Call for “Free Thought”

The Washington Examiner frames Krauss’s message as a clarion call to preserve “free thought” in academia. He urges institutions to “return to their primary mission: advancing knowledge, not pushing a political agenda.” In a March 2023 interview with The New Republic, Krauss said, “I am not a partisan figure. My only allegiance is to the facts.” The Examiner notes that this sentiment has found a receptive audience in the broader political left and right alike, as both sides seek to rally around the notion that science has been politicized.

The article also examines Krauss’s efforts to counter what he calls “the new social Darwinism” that is, in his words, “suppressing dissent and rewarding conformity.” He points to the “Skeptical Science Fund,” a new initiative he launched in 2024 to support independent researchers who are “subjected to institutional pressure.” The Examiner reports that the fund has already awarded grants to three early‑career scientists who felt marginalized for challenging prevailing theories on climate change and gender‑based biological research.

Conclusion

The Washington Examiner article frames Lawrence Krauss’s work as a courageous, albeit polarizing, stand against what he sees as the creeping influence of “woke” ideology in the sciences. While the piece largely sympathizes with Krauss, it also provides a snapshot of the larger cultural conversation about academic freedom, diversity, and the role of politics in research. For those who see science as a sanctuary from ideological influence, Krauss’s message resonates. For others who view inclusivity initiatives as essential for a vibrant and equitable scientific community, his critique feels an attack on the very values that modern science has long embraced.

In a climate where the terms “science” and “politics” are increasingly intermingled, the debate over “woke science” will likely intensify. Whether Krauss’s “war” against woke culture is a defense of scientific integrity or an ideological crusade remains a question that will be answered only by the next wave of empirical evidence, public discourse, and, perhaps, a new generation of physicists willing to challenge the boundaries of both thought and policy.