Science matters to us all. It matters for the UK’s economic growth, for the nation’s health and quality of life, and for the environment. But as a scientist I am increasingly concerned that the present Brexit negotiations could result in a deal that will result in serious damage to UK research and therefore for the nation more generally.
A recent survey at the Crick has revealed an overwhelming negativity towards a hard Brexit. Because of Brexit only 10% feel confident in the future of UK science, only 4% think that the government is committed to getting a good deal for science, and only 3% think that the scientific community is being listened to. Half of the highly trained Crick scientists are now less likely to remain in the UK, taking their skills elsewhere in the world when they leave the institute for their next role. If scientists start leaving the UK or no longer want to come here, then UK science will suffer.
The UK is a leader in European science and that helps UK scientists have a major impact on science throughout the world. That leadership will be put in jeopardy unless we replace the funding for science that will be lost due to Brexit, maintain mobility so that high quality scientific talent can be attracted to the UK, and continue our leadership roles in scientific networks across Europe.
Scientific research is dominated by young, talented, and skilled researchers. The decision to leave Europe was highly influenced by the “no” vote from the elderly and retired. In contrast, young people overwhelmingly voted to remain, and it is the young, especially the talented young such as skilled scientists, upon which the UK’s future will depend.
It is time that our political leaders of all parties started to take these issues seriously. Our country is desperate for a good deal to protect our science and our future. The same message has been communicated by a letter from 29 Nobel Prize winning scientists written to Prime Minister May and President Juncker which urged the closest possible co-operation between the UK and the EU after Brexit. To achieve this will require flexibility and compromise. The UK’s future should not be driven by ideologists or personal political ambitions, but by what is good for the country, and that requires a good deal between the UK and the rest of Europe.
