The battle over the UK’s membership of the European Union is stepping up a gear. Prime minister David Cameron is about to spell out EU reforms that he regards as crucial if the UK is to remain part of it. Campaigners on both sides have already swung into action ahead of an in-out referendum that could happen next year.
Where does science sit in this melee? So far, the science community has strongly aligned itself with the “in” camp, arguing that UK research will suffer if the country is outside the EU. The grass-roots group I am part of, , has thousands of Facebook followers and a cross-party of leading academics.
In July, the umbrella body Universities UK to stay in the EU. The past, present and incoming presidents of the Royal Society have all for the benefits of membership.
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Why is this such an important issue for science? And why should voters care? Investment here in research and innovation, through national and EU funding streams, and high-value jobs, while tackling key social challenges involved in healthcare, sustainability, energy and the environment.
Those campaigning for a British exit – or Brexit – say that leaving would allow some of the UK’s contribution to the EU budget to be invested in research in the country.
The problem is that much research now involves collaboration with our EU partners, and this would be harmed. The UK’s increasingly networked nature has driven it to . More than , compared with 33 per cent in the US. And papers authored by international teams have a much greater impact than those with only domestic authors.
Working together
Collaboration is what EU science budgets support. The that the UK receives from the EU is . A British lab can partner with German, Dutch and Czech counterparts, and apply for a single grant for the team.
The UK is now the largest player in these budgets, shaping policy and despite comprising just 12 per cent of the EU’s population. Non-EU states can of the EU science programme, but the UK negotiating a leading role from outside is unlikely.
However, the biggest danger to science from an “out” vote is the likelihood that would follow. Not only would these disqualify the country from large parts of the EU science programme, because full participation requires freedom of movement, but many talented EU scientists in the UK would respond by simply to seek work elsewhere. That would be a real loss to UK science.
(Image credit: Toby Melville/Reuters)
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