Simply hours after opening its new program for American researchers referred to as Safe Place for Science in response to Trump administration insurance policies, Aix Marseille College obtained its first software.
Since then, the college, which is within the south of France and is understood for its science applications, has obtained a couple of dozen functions per day from what the varsity considers “scientific asylum” seekers.
Different universities in France and elsewhere in Europe have additionally rushed to avoid wasting American researchers fleeing drastic cuts to jobs and applications by the Trump administration, in addition to perceived assaults on entire fields of analysis.
At stake will not be simply particular person jobs, however the idea of free scientific inquiry, college presidents say. They’re additionally speeding to fill big holes in collective analysis brought on by the cuts, notably in areas focused by the Trump administration, together with research of local weather change, public well being, environmental science, gender and variety.
If the motion turns into a development, it might imply the reversal of the long-term mind drain that has seen generations of scientists transfer to the USA. And whereas at the very least some Europeans have famous that the modifications in the USA present a novel alternative to construct stronger European analysis facilities, most lecturers say that competitors just isn’t the short-term motivation.
“This program is finally linked to indignation, to declare what is going on in the USA just isn’t regular,” mentioned Éric Berton, president of Aix Marseille College, which has earmarked 15 million euros (almost $16,300,000) for 15 three-year positions.
