Despite concerns raised by some fellows and the broader scientific community, the Royal Society has decided not to take disciplinary action against Elon Musk, a prominent member of the esteemed institution. Earlier this month, over 150 fellows discussed whether Musk’s recent actions, including controversial statements and his role in the US Department for Government Efficiency, violated the organization’s code of conduct. Musk faced criticism for labeling Labour MP Jess Phillips a “rape genocide apologist,” among other contentious remarks.
I don't agree with the decision not to take disciplinary action now, nuanced as some aspects of the situation are, but at least there's more than nothing being done, & no indication that the situation is now resolved. https://t.co/zMboPR5EJd
— Professor John R. Hutchinson (@JohnRHutchinson) March 26, 2025
In a confidential letter sent to fellows this week, the Royal Society’s president, Adrian Smith, stated that Musk would not face an investigation.
Royal Society’s decision on Musk
Smith wrote, “The view of council is that making judgements on the acceptability of the views and actions of fellows, particularly those that might be regarded as political, could do more harm than good to the society and the cause of science in general.”
"The view of council is that making judgments on the acceptability of the views and actions of fellows, particularly those that might be regarded as political, could do more harm than good…"
If taking action is political then so is failing to act.https://t.co/BuebewNHwe
— Kit Yates (@Kit_Yates_Maths) March 26, 2025
The letter highlighted strong opinions on both sides of the argument, with some fearing that removing Musk’s fellowship could lead to accusations of politicizing science.
The Royal Society continues to do itself a huge disservice by not taking disciplinary action against Elon Musk over his conduct.
It suggests that to do so could cause damage to the academy and science itself, but of course the opposite is in fact true.https://t.co/hDgJ2LrBoR
— Kit Yates (@Kit_Yates_Maths) March 26, 2025
Smith emphasized that the council believes disciplinary proceedings should not be initiated on such grounds. Dorothy Bishop, a neuroscientist who resigned her Royal Society fellowship in protest of Musk’s actions, condemned the academy’s stance, claiming it undermined the institution’s commitment to defending science globally. Other scientists also criticized the decision, with one biologist describing the inaction as “utterly pathetic and cowardly,” claiming that the Royal Society is “abandoning everything [it] stood for, just to avoid making fascist billionaires and anti-science crusaders uncomfortable.”
The Royal Society stands firm on its decision amidst rising debates on the intersection of science and politics, urging a more unified stance in defending scientific principles without delving into politically charged disciplinary actions.
Image Credits: Photo by Austin Ramsey on Unsplash
April Isaacs is a news contributor for DevX.com She is long-term, self-proclaimed nerd. She loves all things tech and computers and still has her first Dreamcast system. It is lovingly named Joni, after Joni Mitchell.
