University hires Brunswick Group amid anger from campus organizers at its sustainability school’s funding

Stanford University’s sustainability school has hired a public relations firm to address “potential reputational challenges” amid concern from campus activists over the institution’s extensive ties with fossil fuel companies.

However, that PR firm, the Brunswick Group, has itself faced criticism for working with oil and gas companies, disappointing the university’s climate advocates. Brunswick says it is “vital to engage with companies in the most complex sectors to decarbonize”.

The sustainability school, which was founded in 2022, and its precursor departments has accepted funding from Exxon, Chevron, Shell and other oil majors, sparking anger from climate organizers on and off campus. It is not alone: fossil fuel companies have funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into university research across the US.

  • @Cosmonauticus
    link
    176 months ago

    Universities are just corporations that happen to teach. The idea of them being institutions of learning where you can create ideas and express opinions should’ve died during the War on Gaza protests.

  • MyTurtleSwimsUpsideDown
    link
    fedilink
    126 months ago

    The same university that is downsizing an internet research group that studies misinformation and abuse has hired a Big Oil PR firm‽

    I am shocked! Shocked, I tell you!

  • Flying Squid
    link
    76 months ago

    Students should be demanding divestment from fossil fuels as well. They’ll end up being the cause of a much bigger genocide. One on the entire species.

  • @HoustonHenry
    link
    16 months ago

    Guess I know what’s on my mind, I did a double-take thinking they hired a PR firm with big ole tiddies 😂

    • @Viking_Hippie
      link
      26 months ago

      Personally I thought of one of these, but huge: