Bjørn Lomborg's $4m centre rejected by Flinders University academics

Academics at Flinders University have delivered a withering rejection of the university’s plan to host a Bjørn Lomborg-run research centre with $4m of federal government money, labelling the Dane “infamous” for his views on climate change.

The government is trying to find a university to run Lomborg’s centre, which would focus on international development. The University of Western Australia was set to host the centre, only to return the $4m following a revolt by its academics, who claimed the process was politically motivated and attacked Lomborg’s lack of scholarly standing.

Guardian Australia understands the Flinders University leadership has canvassed the opinion of staff at three schools – social and policy studies, international studies and environmental studies – and found a clear majority are opposed to hosting Lomborg’s “consensus” centre.

A letter sent by the school of social and policy studies to Flinders’ deputy vice-chancellor Andrew Parkin, who attempted to sell the benefits of the centre to staff, rejected Lomborg’s involvement.

Debra King, dean of the school, told Parkin the overall view of 32 staff was they “do not support any alliance with Lomborg” due to his “academic legitimacy and the politicisation of the process of establishing a partnership”.

“The partnership is being heavily promoted by [federal education minister] Christopher Pyne and the LNP,” King wrote. “This reflects Lomborg’s constituency and supporters, and there is concern that the partnership will be constrained by the requirement to promote particular political messages.”

King added that Lomborg’s “academic integrity is undoubtedly questionable” and his views on climate change were problematic. Lomborg has said he accepts climate change is real but there are greater priorities and technology will allow humans to adapt to most changes.

“Whether Flinders wants it or not, Lomborg is infamous for his views on climate change and his problematic framing of the issues,” King wrote. “The public, including students and other partners, will quickly make the association.”

Academic staff viewed Flinders as “risking being a ‘pawn’ or ‘minor player’ in the larger Lomborg roadshow”, King wrote.

Lomborg has become a high-profile figure in debates surrounding climate science, although he tends to frame himself as an expert in international development.

In May, UWA opted to take the funding for an Australian version of his Copenhagen centre, only to reverse course after a backlash from its academics.

Pyne said the university had shouted down Lomborg, with the Danish academic complaining the issue had become a political football.

It is understood several leading universities have rejected overtures from the government to host the centre. Flinders University, meanwhile, has asked the government for information about the centre and said it will consult its staff.

A Flinders University academic, who did not want to be named, said only four of around 100 staff across the three schools voiced unequivocal support for Lomborg’s centre.

“Leading a research centre is reserved for people with a very serious scholarly record, people who are at the top of their game,” the academic said. “[Lomborg] is someone who isn’t even in the game.

“Flinders said we should be brave and have these conversations, but we don’t need Lomborg next to us at the lunch table to have those conversations. You also have to be concerned with the government’s agenda in trying to shop around a centre with someone with so little credibility.”

A separate Flinders University academic said the centre was being pitched as being separate from climate change discussion, but this had failed to assuage staff.

“It’s clear the money is on offer because the federal government has a particular political agenda,” the academic said. “The university is not being candid in investing in what’s clearly a political project.

“There are people who support it, however the reason that people support is that universities are desperate for money. This is the invidious position academics are in.

“When you have someone holding a bucket of $4m, it’s tempting to think you can play with that without burning yourself too badly. That seems to be the position of the university.”

James Vigus, president of Flinders University student association, said students have been told they will be consulted on the centre within the next two weeks.

“I’ve had extensive correspondence from a whole range of students who are really concerned that they are going to be associated with a university that is going to have a whole research school set up that massively downplays climate change,” he said.

“I believe the vast majority of Flinders students believe money should not be granted based on being a government favourite. Flinders has always been a progressive university. I fear they are trying to have a cultural shift.”

The South Australian government has also called on Flinders University to reject the centre, blaming the federal government for its “ideological” support for the initiative.

“This funding tactic is similar to those used by the tobacco lobby when they were trying to obfuscate the science around the health impacts of smoking,” said Ian Hunter, minister for climate change and the environment.

Hunter said the federal Coalition wanted to “buy willing researchers to support their agenda” and Lomborg’s presence at Flinders would damage the state’s reputation.

The university has been contacted for comment.