No Brainer?
The world of unintended consequences clocks another victory.
As we all know President Donald Trump, and his copilot Elon Musk, have implemented sweeping cuts to federal agencies and research funding. There is already evidence of an exodus from the country’s research institutions. In a Nature poll conducted earlier this year more than 1,200 scientists said they were considering leaving the US.
The workforce of the Department of Health and Human Services is being dramatically cut by 20,000, impacting key agencies such as the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. It is not just the jobs and the money.
“Academic freedom is under pressure in the United States, and it is an unpredictable situation for many researchers in what has been the world’s leading research nation for many decades” according to Sigrun Aasland, Norway’s Minister of Research and Higher Education.
Norway has launched a 100mn kroner fund to recruit top international researchers. “It is important for Norway to be proactive in a demanding situation for academic freedom” continued Aasland. “We can make a difference for outstanding researchers and important knowledge, and we want to do that as quickly as possible.”
Norway is not alone. Australia’s Academy of Science has likewise established a Global Talent Attraction Program to rapidly recruit displaced US researchers and Australians returning home. Add Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Denmark to the list of countries willing to buy in talent. More will follow suit.
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