Philosophy
John Reece Roth never thought he’d be going to prison for his research on plasma physics. But that’s precisely where the 72-year old University of Tennessee professor will likely spend the next four years.
Roth was sentenced last month for sharing his research with foreign graduate students and taking a laptop with his research to China. Along with his university research, he was working on an unclassified contract from the U.S. Force looking at ways to reduce drag on drones using plasma actuators.
The case has been closely watched by university professors working in areas that deal with controlled technical information, particularly satellite technology, which is classified as a munition. As I write in a recent article for Nature (apologies, behind a paywall):
Concerns over prosecution have even led some academics to self-censor when teaching, particularly in the area of satellites, which have been under the control of the state department since 1999. That shift, which was prompted by a satellite manufacturer illegally sharing technical data with China about the failure of a Long March rocket, had an immediate effect on university work in the area. “There are things I was once comfortable talking about in class, and I’m not comfortable with anymore,” says Thomas Zurbuchen, a professor of space science and aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
It’s a difficult subject: many people I interviewed felt Roth showed blatant disregard for the law — he was warned his work fell under the State Department’s munitions list — but they expressed deep frustration with the ambiguity of the laws.
Clif Burns, a lawyer at Bryan Cave, who contributes to the equally amusing and educational Export Law Blog, believes the Roth case is an anomaly — at least so far. Burns also told me that part of Roth’s particular problem was that he was sharing research with graduate students from the two countries of most concern to the United States: China and Iran.
“This was a double whammy,” he said.
J. Reece Roth case--new trial appeal
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- J. Reece Roth Case--new Trial Appeal
A couple of days ago a reader sent a comment on the J. Reece Roth "Arms Export Control Act" case. Roth was convicted last year and sentencing was to be early in 2009. But things have changed..."A University of Tennessee professor emeritus contends a...
- Atypical?...no...pervasive In Higher Education
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Philosophy
Roth update
"From Ivory Tower to Iron Bars: Scientists Risk Jail Time for Violating Export Laws"
by
Sharon Weinberger
September 17th, 2009
Wired
by
Sharon Weinberger
September 17th, 2009
Wired
John Reece Roth never thought he’d be going to prison for his research on plasma physics. But that’s precisely where the 72-year old University of Tennessee professor will likely spend the next four years.
Roth was sentenced last month for sharing his research with foreign graduate students and taking a laptop with his research to China. Along with his university research, he was working on an unclassified contract from the U.S. Force looking at ways to reduce drag on drones using plasma actuators.
The case has been closely watched by university professors working in areas that deal with controlled technical information, particularly satellite technology, which is classified as a munition. As I write in a recent article for Nature (apologies, behind a paywall):
Concerns over prosecution have even led some academics to self-censor when teaching, particularly in the area of satellites, which have been under the control of the state department since 1999. That shift, which was prompted by a satellite manufacturer illegally sharing technical data with China about the failure of a Long March rocket, had an immediate effect on university work in the area. “There are things I was once comfortable talking about in class, and I’m not comfortable with anymore,” says Thomas Zurbuchen, a professor of space science and aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
It’s a difficult subject: many people I interviewed felt Roth showed blatant disregard for the law — he was warned his work fell under the State Department’s munitions list — but they expressed deep frustration with the ambiguity of the laws.
Clif Burns, a lawyer at Bryan Cave, who contributes to the equally amusing and educational Export Law Blog, believes the Roth case is an anomaly — at least so far. Burns also told me that part of Roth’s particular problem was that he was sharing research with graduate students from the two countries of most concern to the United States: China and Iran.
“This was a double whammy,” he said.
J. Reece Roth case--new trial appeal
- Philip Roth To Retire
"Philip Roth: 'To tell you the truth, I'm done'" American novelist announced his retirement in October in little-noticed interview with French magazine by Ben Quinn November 9th, 2012 guardian.co.uk Philip Roth, the US...
- Becky Parker...getting Kids Involved In Science
"A student research network built on a chip" June 2010 Symmetry What inspired you in physics? Was it the curriculum at school? For me it was a lecture about Mars that Carl Sagan gave at the Royal Institution; it was 1977, and he invited the audience—I...
- Sabbatical...almost A Thing Of The Past
One doesn't hear much about these opportunities anymore...the wonderful sabbatical offered to special professors. "IU professor receives prestigious Humboldt Research Award" May 5th, 2010 Indiana University Press Release BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Colin...
- J. Reece Roth Case--new Trial Appeal
A couple of days ago a reader sent a comment on the J. Reece Roth "Arms Export Control Act" case. Roth was convicted last year and sentencing was to be early in 2009. But things have changed..."A University of Tennessee professor emeritus contends a...
- Atypical?...no...pervasive In Higher Education
Is this an atypical scenario? No, I don't think so. University department's funding is shrnking for the most part and comfortably staffed and supplied departments are feeling the pinch. I suspect that times of "fat" are being relaced by "lean"...