Let's unpack the myth of the value neutral researcher

Casper Berg Lavmand Larsen is 33 years old, has a PhD in Economics, is Assistant Professor at CBS and heavily involved in TUBA, a Danish organisation providing counselling and therapy for young people in families affected by alcohol or substance abuse.

He wears a pin-striped shirt, white tennis socks and sneakers, and is hair is brushed back. He has an obliging smile and answers questions openly. The latter part, the aspect of openness, he believes, is an area where researchers have room for improvement

”The notion of the value neutral researcher can be dangerous to the integrity of expertise in the public debate. Just as I find it crucial for researchers to consider the integrity of expertise in the public debate, it is also crucial for society to take a critical stance towards research and research dissemination. Even researchers can bring forward conclusions that exceed the bounds of their results or omit crucial prerequisites,” he says.  

To him, it is not a negative thing for researchers to have their own perspective and commit to society, it is just important that we are open about it.

”We all have values and wishes for the direction of society, so in research dissemination in particular, it is important that we as researchers distinct between our results and the interpretations and initiatives – whether political or otherwise – these findings may inspire. It does not make us any more neutral that we do not acknowledge our affiliations. It is when we say it out loud that we create transparency,” he says.

”He raises millions for ambitious projects. In his spare time, he is the voice for children and young people from families affected by substance abuse”

This was the headline describing Casper Berg Lavmand Larsen when he made the Berlingske Talent 100 list this year. The list highlights 100 young individuals with the potential to reach the top of the Danish business community.

And as the headline says, Casper Larsen has for the past three years been a dedicated ambassador for TUBA, something he openly shares on his LinkedIn profile and in the media.

Moreover, he has been at the People’s Democratic Festival at Bornholm, written articles and made citizen initiatives with the City of Copenhagen, everything under the auspices of TUBA.

Have you ever worried that your involvement with TUBA may have a negative impact on how you are perceived as a researcher?

”Sure I have. I have thought a lot about this dual role, but I find it important that we discuss whether we in fact put up a fake antagonism. Can we only be researchers or activists? The way I see it, we all wear different caps – at work, at home and so on. I don’t find it problematic – but in some contexts it is essential that we follow suit,” he says.

And he is probably not the only one. According to an analysis from the Danish Association of Masters and PhDs, one in three PhD students refrain from joining the public debate within their own field of research because they fear the reactions. However, there are no available figures indicating whether concerns about involvement in other affiliations play a role.

Researchers should not face criticism simply for being active members of society

Casper Berg Lavmand Larsen, researcher

As opposed to private individuals, researchers often act as experts in the media; either providing an overview or explaining a phenomenon based on studies and empiricism.

The expert role is in clear contrast to the ‘experience source’ who is often a private individual who has had a subjective experience, or the ‘conflicted source’ who is personally invested with either money, feelings or other affiliations.

Since a researcher is expected to be as objective as possible, Casper Berg Lavmand Larsen can imagine that a lot of researchers, including himself, considers whether they dare to share personal perspectives or commitments.

 ”Clearly, it's crucial to distinguish between personal opinions and research findings. However, I believe that researchers, like everyone else, should have the freedom to engage in societal matters,” he says.

Automatically dismissing researchers who have followed suit in the form of affiliation to a political party or as an advocate/opponent of a certain cause shouldn’t be a reflexive response.

”Activist researchers are not automatically disqualified from discussing their research. That is why we build our research on methodology, peer reviews and journal rankings, which exactly ensure the validity of our research findings.”

Was nervous to become a volunteer

Have you encountered criticism for being so involved in TUBA?

”No. Only from my inner critic. But I gave it a lot of thought before I became an ambassador, especially about how to declare the different roles I assume – and if it confuses the recipient,” says Casper Berg Lavmand Larsen.

TUBA is an independent organisation owned by Blue Cross which offers therapy for young people in families affected by alcohol or substance abuse.

In fact, Casper Berg Lavmand Larsen was in therapy with TUBA for a year before he became an ambassador.

”I’m not going to hide that it has been a massive, unprecedented life-changing experience [being in group therapy with TUBA]. I’m very committed because it is obvious that children and young people's rights in this area are inadequate. Statistics show that children who have grown up in families with alcohol and substance abuse are at high risk. Their mental health is worse, they face a higher risk of self-harm and suicide, and they place four times the burden on the healthcare system compared to the average patient. It is very evident to me and also substantiated by research that they can be helped and moved through therapy,” he says.

According to Casper Berg Lavmand Larsen, alcohol abuse is passed on to the next generation, for which reason it is important that this offer of therapy reaches young people.

It is clear that you are deeply involved in TUBA, but could the lack of criticism be because only a very small minority might oppose TUBA’s mission?

”Definitely. It is easy to imagine other themes and issues where it would seem much more controversial for a researcher to take a stand and then receive criticism, but my point is that all researchers do that. We have viewpoints and attitudes, we vote, and we have also chosen to become scientists in a particular field, probably because we find it important,” he says.

Does research on employee influence and autonomy

Casper Berg Lavmand Larsen is a researcher of employee rights and influence in corporate decision-making and diversity in top management. 

If you ask him why this became his field of research, he answers:

”I had an interest in the employee’s possibility of autonomy and influence at the workplace, and then my portfolio started to grow. But at the end of the day, justice issues are what drives me. This topic just shines brighter than any other topic,” he says.

”I guess it is this quest for justice that motivates me when I wear my TUBA cap. Basically, the research questions we wish to answer are a subjective choice – we cannot get away from that. However, that is not a problem per se,” he says.

Casper Berg Lavmand Larsen is currently working on a project on the role of consultation committees at the workplace and in the job market. With his German co-author Guido Friebel, Casper has received funding for the project from the Rockwool Foundation Berlin.

Consultation committees are committees consisting of employees and leaders who discuss different workplace issues.

”Primarily, we must map out how many companies have these committees and find out what role they play. Subsequently, we wish to investigate the general role of the consultation committees in the job market and the individual workplaces, including whether the committees are significant to the flexibility characterising the Danish job market as well as job satisfaction.”

The project started in 2023 and will run until 2027.