In a misguided and unbefitting move, Maynooth University has joined forces with a notorious pro-abortion group to gather information designed to influence the debate on imposing censorship zones outside abortion facilities.
The online survey being circulated by the pro-abortion Together for Safety Campaign and Maynooth University claims to be collecting “tangible information about the prevalence of anti-choice demonstrations from abortion service providers.”There is absolutely nothing academic or scientific about the survey being conducted. Instead, it’s a highly political exercise from start to finish. In a social media post taking issue with the university, Senator Mullen asked: “Why is Maynooth University sponsoring political activism using the loaded term ‘anti-choice’ while presenting as academic work?”
He encouraged people to contact the university to express their concern, saying: “If you are a Maynooth student, alumni, family member helping with fees, taxpayer or concerned citizen, please let the university hear your views by emailing the Secretary of the Maynooth University Ethics Committee at research.ethics@mu.ie and President of Maynooth University at president@mu.ie
The drift away from serious peer reviewed research to politically motivated information gathering is very concerning. The decision of the Department of Adult and Community Education at Maynooth University to lend its support to this latest online survey does nothing but bring the college into disrepute.