Crocker Interviewed by The Best Schools

Interview of Dr. Crocker that first appeared at The Best Schools Blog. Scroll through the questions, click on the “Q” before the question in which you are interested, and the answer will appear.

Q1. Dr. Crocker, you came to our attention through your role in the Ben Stein documentary EXPELLED: NO INTELLIGENCE ALLOWED, which was released in 2008. Can you tell us how you came to be part of that documentary? What happened to you that was so important that Ben Stein wanted to make it public?

Q2. Tell us a bit about your life before your difficulties at George Mason University and their exposure in EXPELLED. Where did you get your degrees? In what fields of study? What sort of career as a biologist had you envisioned? When did you start entertaining “politically incorrect” views and what were the first glimmers that they were going to get you into trouble?

Q3.  After George Mason University, what happened next? Describe going on the job market once your unorthodox views about biological origins became known. What obstacles did you face? How did you cope?

Q4.  There’s much talk at colleges and universities about academic freedom. How has your perspective on academic freedom changed in the last ten years? How do you now envision genuine academic freedom?

Q5.  You’ve written a book titled FREE TO THINK: WHY SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY MATTERS. Why did you write this book and what were you trying to accomplish with it? Ben Stein wrote the foreword. How did you swing that?

Q6.  How would you characterize your views on biological origins? How do you respond to someone who claims that your views are religiously motivated and not properly part of science? Why do you think your views may legitimately be incorporated into biology curricula at the college level?

Q7.  You are a sought-after speaker on scientific integrity. What are the typical sorts of “gigs” that you do? What is your main take-home message? How can you be contacted if someone wants you to speak for them?

Q8.  You head up an organization called AITSE (American Institute for Technology and Science Education). Tell us what moved you to start AITSE? Your concern with AITSE is scientific integrity generally rather than just focusing on certain hot-button topics. How big a problem is scientific integrity (or the lack thereof)? Most scientists will tell you that science is self-correcting and that scientists can by-and-large be trusted. Is that true across the board? How are scientists subject to temptation?

Q9.  AITSE, in its very name, mirrors the premier organization promoting biological evolution, namely, the National Center for Science Education (NCSE). Did you choose the name AITSE as a challenge to the NCSE? How would you contrast AITSE with the NCSE?

Q10.  You are a Christian, and yet recently you’ve had disagreements with two Christian groups that promote biological evolution: the American Scientific Affiliation (ASA) and Francis Collins’ BioLogos. Can you tell us what your concerns are with these organizations?

Q11.  What organizations have you worked with most closely and have proven to be your best allies? How helpful are they in promoting scientific integrity? Comment on the Discovery Institute. Does it support your work?

Q12.  Where to from here? What are some of your main projects right now? What do you hope will be some of your main projects down the road? If they succeed, how much difference could they make? How can people help facilitate the work of AITSE?