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Dissertation Could Be Security Threat (TechNews.com)

Invariably, he said, they suggest his work be classified. "Classify my dissertation? Crap. Does this mean I have to redo my PhD?" he said. "They're worried about national security. I'm worried about getting my degree." For academics, there always has been the imperative to publish or perish. In Gorman's case, there's a new concern: publish and perish.

It doesn't surprise me in the least that the subject of the article, Sean Gorman, would be more concerned about his degree than national security. Having seen first-hand the blood, sweat and tears that goes into getting your PhD through K's efforts, I can't imagine someone wanting to give up years of research, especially when the research is comprised of publicly available material.

Gorman says he is facing a dilemma with his research between publishing as an expert in his field, and preserving national security. Since his research uses publicly available material, however, how much of a threat to security is it? Yes, it makes that information easier to access -- but the information is already out there.

It opens interesting questions: should the government have the right to shut down research projects? If so, what are the criteria for shutting down a project, and who should wield the authority to do so?

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