Attack on the social sciences and humanities in Argentina

In a context of defunding and depletion of the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), and in particular from the area of ​​social sciences, humanities and arts since the arrival to power in Argentina of President Javier Milei in December 2023, an important group of researchers have launched a campaign to denounce the situation and collect signatures with the following text:

We, the undersigned researchers of the (CONICET) of Argentina, express our deep concern about what happened at the meeting of the CONICET Board of Directors, held on August 12, which resolved the call for admissions to the Researcher Career corresponding to the 2023 call.

In addition to the general funding cuts affecting Argentine science, the quota for new entrants has been reduced from 845 to just 400. The admissions process for the 2022 call for applications remains delayed, and the CIC 2024 and 2025 competitions have not yet been opened.

Furthermore, it is unacceptable from all international scientific standards that some members of the Board have proposed not allocating positions in the Social Sciences and Humanities, with the aim of destroying CONICET's historical disciplinary balance. This discriminatory and entirely unjustified initiative undermines the quality of our institution.

We also express our support and solidarity with the representative of the Social Sciences and Humanities Area on the Board of Directors, Dr. Mario Pecheny.

Form to sign the letter of solidarity and support