Science reacts to UK's decision to leave the EU
28 Jun 2016 by hjqbcptqcm.d hjqbcptqcm.d
Scientific communities have responded to the referendum result that will see the UK leave the European Union.
Scientific communities have responded to the referendum result that will see the UK leave the European Union.
Declared last week , after 72% of the population went to the polls, almost 17.5m people voted to leave. Although there is not much known at this stage how this decision will affect the science industry in the UK, some institutions have reacted to this decision.
Dr Sarah Main, director at the Campaign for Science and Engineering, said: “This outcome provides a real challenge for our sector. Science is an area where the relationship between the UK and the EU was particularly beneficial. Not least because scientists won billions of pounds of research funding for the UK, above and beyond what we put in – €8.8bn between 2007 and 2013.”
A Nature poll of almost 2,000 scientists conducted in March found more than 80% supported remaining in the EU. A letter sent to The Times of more than 150 Cambridge academics explained why a break from the EU would be a danger for UK science. The large majority of academics asked about the referendum said they wanted to remain in the EU, to be able to take advantage of cross country working and the money received in the form of EU grants for research.
Venki Ramakrishnan, President of the Royal Society, said: “One of the great strengths of UK research has always been its international nature, and we need to continue to welcome researchers and students from abroad. Any failure to maintain the free exchange of people and ideas between the UK and the international community including Europe could seriously harm UK science.”
Dr Glenn Crocker, CEO of BioCity, an organisation that assists biotech companies, said: "I am deeply concerned about the impact on UK research and on funding for small companies, both of which have benefited greatly from EU support. I am also concerned about the impact on the free movement of labour and the restriction on the skills base if the UK turns inwards.
"I find it very disheartening that I live in a country where the majority of people are so opposed to openness and collaboration based on some misguided view of Britain of over 100 years ago, however we will have to make the best of the situation and BioCity will strive to do that."Full statements on the EU referendum decision from key organisations can be seen below:
Campaign for Science and Engineering
United Kingdom Accreditation Service
Royal Astronomical Society