Why Brexit Freaks Out So Many Scientists

The UK is belatedly tallying up benefits of EU membership including research support. “The decision has dismayed scientists in the United Kingdom and across Europe, as it stands to disrupt scientific funding and the United Kingdom’s stature in the European and international research communities,” writes Michael Greshko for National Geographic. The country will have a transition of two years, and new concerns emerge about a loss of EU funding and a brain drain if researchers can no longer enjoy the EU guarantee of free movement across member states. EU research grants provided 16 percent of funding for British universities, according to Nature News; the Guardian reports that 40 percent of UK cancer research funding is from the EU. Collaboration is essential for state-of-the-art research. Once again, as with trade, the UK would have to pay to access research programs, but not have a say in planning or rules. Brexit could disrupt the global response on climate change, as some leaders of the Brexit movement do not view climate change as a problem. – YaleGlobal