PO's checking LinkedIn Accounts
I submitted a K99 this February cycle and noticed that a PO at my institute viewed my LinkedIn.
That caught my attention because early last year I made a public post criticizing the Trump administration’s “Gold Standard Science” messaging...
What I’m trying to figure out is: has anyone here heard of NIH POs or other NIH staff checking applicants’ social media or LinkedIn to screen for political speech, especially criticism of the administration? Not asking whether people look applicants up in general, but whether anyone has actual experience or knowledge of this being used in a punitive way.
I know LinkedIn views can mean nothing, and I do not want to jump to conclusions. But given the current climate, it does not feel entirely far-fetched either.
I’m curious whether others have seen this, worried about it, or been advised to keep quiet online during a grant cycle. My impression is that career POs are generally on our side and would not necessarily flag this kind of thing, but I’m wondering what others have experienced.