This paper aims to diversify STS perspectives on populism by addressingMexican science policy as a case study of clashes between populism andscientific communities. The paper describes a reorientation of Mexicanscience policy that has destabilized the scientific/academic system duringthe present administration, specifically: 1) the legislative project initiatedby Mexico’s National Science and Technology Council (Conacyt) tooverhaul the national regulatory framework on science, technology andinnovation; and 2) controversial political action (...)

This paper aims to diversify STS perspectives on populism by addressingMexican science policy as a case study of clashes between populism andscientific communities. The paper describes a reorientation of Mexicanscience policy that has destabilized the scientific/academic system duringthe present administration, specifically: 1) the legislative project initiatedby Mexico’s National Science and Technology Council (Conacyt) tooverhaul the national regulatory framework on science, technology andinnovation; and 2) controversial political actions taken by Conacytagainst the scientific community concomitantly. Contextualizing thesegrievances, the paper concludes that at stake is a form of ‘trickle-downpopulism’ that, through systematic authoritarianism, seeks to impose onthe academic community a model of ‘populist science governance.’