A coalition of global researchers has published a groundbreaking handbook designed to help scientists and fact-based professionals combat the growing threat of authoritarianism in the U.S. and worldwide. The guide, titled The Anti-Autocracy Handbook, provides actionable strategies to protect scientific integrity, secure sensitive data, counter disinformation, and strengthen institutional resilience against democratic erosion.

The handbook’s lead author, cognitive psychologist Stephan Lewandowsky of the University of Bristol, warns that authoritarian regimes—including recent U.S. administrations—have systematically targeted scientists, journalists, and judges to undermine accountability and dismantle democratic norms. “This isn’t a joke or a blip, and this isn’t normal,” Lewandowsky said. “This is a concerted, programmatic effort to abolish democracy in the United States.”

Why This Matters

Democracy and science are deeply intertwined. Without transparent governance, scientific research—whether addressing public health crises or climate change—faces suppression, distortion, or outright censorship. The handbook emphasizes that defending democratic institutions is essential for ensuring that evidence-based knowledge guides policy and public discourse.

The guide includes an interactive Wiki with step-by-step resources on recognizing authoritarian tactics, such as political violence, suppression of civil liberties, and attacks on independent institutions. It also offers practical advice on safeguarding research, securing digital communications, and organizing collective resistance within academic and professional networks.

A Response to Global Threats

The handbook emerges amid rising authoritarian trends worldwide, from the imprisonment of dissenting scientists in Russia to the censorship of climate research in Brazil under former President Jair Bolsonaro. In the U.S., the Trump administration’s attempts to manipulate COVID-19 data and silence federal scientists highlighted the vulnerability of research to political interference.

Lewandowsky and his co-authors argue that scientists must act proactively to prevent further democratic backsliding. “Science cannot function in an environment where facts are disposable and truth is negotiable,” he said.

Key Strategies for Resistance

The handbook outlines several critical measures for scientists and defenders of fact-based discourse:

1. Securing Data and Communications – Guidance on encryption, protecting sensitive research, and preventing politically motivated data suppression.
2. Countering Disinformation – Tools to identify and debunk false narratives while promoting scientific literacy.
3. Protecting Institutional Integrity – Strategies for universities, journals, and professional organizations to resist political coercion.
4. Building Networks of Resilience – Encouraging solidarity among researchers, journalists, and civil society to uphold democratic values.

A Call to Action

The authors stress that the threat is urgent and requires immediate mobilization. “The erosion of democracy doesn’t happen overnight—it’s a slow creep,” Lewandowsky noted. “But once it’s gone, it’s much harder to restore.”

By equipping scientists and advocates with practical tools, the Anti-Autocracy Handbook aims to fortify the pillars of democracy that allow research and factual discourse to thrive. As authoritarianism rises globally, the message is clear: defending science means defending democracy itself.

The handbook is now available online, with regular updates planned to address evolving threats to democratic governance.