US and the politics of science: The future of transatlantic cooperation?

Donald Trump’s second presidency is wreaking havoc on international relations – and the world of science and technology has not been spared. In the US, in the space of just a few weeks, research funding has been cut, public access to research data on ideologically sensitive topics such as climate, vaccines and gender has been limited, while the Trump administration has increased pressure on scientists on ideological grounds. As budget cuts, visa restrictions and tough security hit American academia, global cooperation in climate, health and other politically charged fields will undoubtedly diminish.

Meanwhile, Europe is scrambling to attract disgruntled scientists from the US, with universities putting up dedicated funding schemes and EU funding agencies expanding benefits for foreign researchers who want to move to Europe. In March, 13 EU member states urged the European Commission to explore options for US-based researchers to continue their work in Europe. More broadly, with the trade war in the background, transatlantic research collaborations are being disrupted and European leaders are rethinking their strategies for US collaboration. 

In this context, Science|Business is organising a webinar to discuss the future of transatlantic science collaboration and how the EU should respond to Trump’s policies in science. What is the impact of the Trump administration on US science and international research collaboration? What should be the response from the US academic community? Should Europe try to specifically attract US researchers?  Can Europe absorb fired US researchers, and can Europe even guarantee academic freedom?